View report page

116
Post-natal care should be continued in these cases until the mother is free from
infection.
For particulars of visits paid in respect of this condition see Table IV (page 108).
INFANT LIFE PROTECTION — PUBLIC HEALTH (LONDON) ACT, 1936,
PART XIII.
The duties under the above Acts were transferred to the Borough Council on 1st April,
1933. The following statement as to the duties and the recommendations of the Public
Health Committee in connection with carrying out the work were approved by the Council:—
"The duties comprise the supervision of the health and well-being of all children
who are under the care of foster mothers until such children reach the age of nine years.
A register of foster mothers must be kept with a list of children under their care, and the
Local Authority may fix a maximum number of nurse-infants who may be kept in any
dwelling. Records must also be kept with regard to removals, deaths, offences against the
Act, etc. When premises are registered for the first time, a report should be obtained as
regards suitability and sanitary condition. We consider it advisable that the District
Sanitary Inspectors shall inspect and report on the condition of the homes for registration
purposes, for the clerical staff of the Public Health Department to keep the necessary
records, and for the Health Visitors at the various Welfare Centres to carry out the duties
of inspecting and supervising the homes, the health and well-being of the children, to give
any necessary advice, and report contraventions of the Acts."
"Arrangements can be made for the extra work involved by the operation of the
Order to be carried out without addition to the staff of the Public Health Department."
At the end of the year there were 164 persons on the Register, of whom 108
were receiving 109 children for reward.
Particulars of visits paid will be found in Table IV (page 108).
ANCILLARY SERVICES.
The services here described are of value in that they complement the routine work of
home visiting and the conduct of consultations carried on at the six Welfare Centres to which
definite areas have been assigned.
Supply of Milk and Cod Liver Oil to Mothers and Children.
The Borough Council during the year continued to make grants of milk (1 pint fresh
milk daily, or 1½ lb. dried milk weekly, renewable every four weeks by a doctor's certificate),
either free or at reduced prices. With the approval of the Borough Council (29th June,
1938) grants of cod liver oil or cod liver oil emulsion were made on the recommendations of
the Medical Officers of the Welfare Centres.
Grants were restricted to expectant or nursing mothers, children under three years of
age, and, in exceptional cases, to children between three and five years of age, regard being had
to the scale of income adopted by the Council.
Where a family is in receipt of relief, the application is made by the Medical Officer
of the Welfare or Ante-natal Centre directly to the Public Assistance Committee on the
forms provided. Where the family is not in receipt of relief, the application is considered
by the Special (Milk) Sub-Committee of the Borough Council. Information is exchanged
between the authorities concerned, in order to avoid overlapping.