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84
The chief points left in our minds, as the result of hearing
these very able papers and discussions are:— That we must aim
at a better education of the mothers and prospective mothers in
reference to the better carrying on of home and maternal duties,
which may be accomplished by courses of instruction to the elder
girls in schools, and by the provision of Women Health Visitors
for those who are not now attending schools; and on the other
hand, that all possible steps must be taken to provide proper
nourishment for young children, and this again can be promoted
by educating the parents and by the provision of suitable supplies
of nourishment for those who are unable to give the natural
product.
This section also dealt with the question of providing Sanatoria
for Consumptives, which also is a matter of great importance.
It was shown that at the present time 60,000 people die from this
disease in England and Wales every year, and it is estimated that
there are in London alone 40,000 persons affected with Consumption,
and as many more by other forms of Tuberculosis, the
majority of these cases coming from the Industrial classes, and a
third of the deaths from these diseases occurring in Poor Law
Institutions.
It was shown that philanthropic effort was inadequate to cope
with the situation, and it was suggested that what is wanted is a
directing and controlling body which could deal with the cases
throughout the country, thus placing the matter on a national
basis. For this purpose it was thought that the time is ripe for
a Government enquiry into the whole subject, a Resolution on
these lines being adopted.