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114
it is educative in character. The mothers are given short
talks on baby care, and are shewn practically as far as
possible what to do for the baby. An extension of this
work on approved lines is urgently necessary. The following
is the report of the Health Visitor on the work during
1913:—
"There is not much to add to last year's report. The
number of mothers who attend regularly is steadily increasing,
several of the women bringing friends who need advice
for their babies. At the end of the year the Welcome was
moved from No. 19, Barrets Green Road to No. 51 in
the same road, but this change has in no way affected the
attendance. The knitting club is still in existence, and
most of the babies now wear vests knitted for them by their
mothers.
"Much more could be done for the mothers at the weekly
meetings with the assistance of an additional worker.
With the increased attendance it is almost impossible for one
person to carry on the work efficiently.
M. MacColl. "
Summer Diarrhcea.—In order to prevent as much as
possible deaths of infants from summer diarrhæa, which is
the main cause of infants' deaths during the third quarter of
the year, booklets on Infant Care and Feeding, above referred
to, are forwarded to the parents of all children born
during the summer months, if summer diarrhoea is prevalent,
and within the last few years the Inspectors of Nuisances
have made rapid surveys of the district, for the detection
and abatement of nuisances in districts in which infant
mortality specially prevails during hot weather. In addition
to these measures, it would be well if lit were possible to
undertake an organised system of visiting, during the
summer months, of infants born, say, six months previously.
Such a measure would, I am sure, still further reduce the
number of deaths from this very potent cause.