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154
yet a sudden "flare up" of a dental abscess is a formidable occurrence in
a puerperal woman. We see a number of cases of acute mastitis where
this has been a direct antecedent, and believe the two conditions are often
closely associated. Even if infection does not take place through the
blood stream, an obvious method of spread is by the direct transmission
of pus on the fingers from the mouth to the nipple. If every patient
making application for admission to a lying-in institution were referred
automatically after the first examination to the dental department, the
whole subject would soon assume a different importance in the public
mind. It may be hazarded that there would soon be a considerable
lessening in the number of cases of puerperal sepsis at present called
autogenous, but in which the infecting focus remains unidentified.
H. K. WALLER,
Senior Medical Officer.
FREE MILK SCHEME.
Milk is supplied to expectant and nursing mothers and children
under 3 years of age (in special circumstances 5 years), under the Ministry
of Health Circular 185.
As reported in the Annual Report for 1927, dried milk is supplied
under the scheme, with the exception that Grade "A" (Tuberculin
Tested) milk is supplied in special cases (infants) where the Medical
Officers in charge of the Council's Child Welfare Clinics consider its use
specially desirable.
During the 53 weeks ended 3rd January, 1931, 7,216 applications
for free milk were received, of which 6,693 were granted. (The number of
persons granted milk was 9,271.) Orders were issued for 28,247 pints of
Grade "A" (Tuberculin Tested) milk, and 33,147 pounds of Dried Milk,
the total commitments amounting to approximately £2,820.
Six hundred and ten (610) cases were investigated by the Enquiry
Officer, and with two exceptions were reported satisfactory.
The
unsatisfactory cases were reported to the Maternity and Child Welfare
Committee.