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Depôt. Four additional assistants have since been engaged,
but the staff is still barely able to cope with the work. The
labour involved in washing and filling an enormous number
of small bottles every day is considerable, and satisfactory
labour-saving appliances adapted for this particular work are
difficult to obtain. A good bottle-filling machine, accurate,
time-saving, capable of rapid adjustment to fill the varying
quantities and easily cleaned, is badly wanted.
From what has been already stated, it is evident that the
existence of the Milk Depot can be amply justified from the
principles of pathology and hygiene. We have, however,
more direct evidence of the Depot's good work during the first
six months of its existence. This evidence is of two kinds:—
(a) The testimony of medical practitioners who have
had practical experience of the effect of the milk
(b) Statistical evidence.
In January last 1 addressed a circular letter to the medical
practitioners in the Borough, asking for an expression of
opinion as to the efficacy of the milk. The following are a
few typical extracts from the replies received, which were in
nearly all cases highly satisfactory:—
"The milk provided by the Battersea Borough Council
I have tried most extensively since its introduction. I
consider it a great boon to the working-class and those
uneducated in the proper feeding of infants. It has
been fruitful of very great benefit to all the children taking
it from my recommendation. I shall continue to
recommend it, and heartily wish that the good work begun
shall continue."
"I have used it in a number of cases of infants of
various ages, and have always found it satisfactory and
reliable. It is a great benefit to have such an article of
diet so convenient and accessible."
"I have found the most marked benefit in almost
every case. It has reduced my infant mortality fifty per
cent., and is a God-send to the poor of this parish."