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mother was advised how to feed and clothe the baby, and followed
out the instructions very carefully. The baby was given diluted
condensed milk and “Finsbury” cream, and gained weight continuously
from its first visit. The average gain was 6 oz. per
week. It was under supervision for 9 months, and at 12 months
of age was healthy, fat, possessed 6 teeth, and had firm muscles.
The question has been asked, it is often asked, whether the
system of health visitation has justified its adoption, whether it
is successful and meets a reasonable and legitimate demand.
The answer to this is that these visits to the homes ot poor
mothers are very necessary, are much appreciated, and are productive
of much good.
The cases outlined in the foregoing pages, the conditions found,
and the results achieved show what large scope there is for help,
for practical common-sense instruction, and opportunity for the
saving of infant life.
MIDWIVES ACT, 1902.
In London the supervising authority, for the purposes of
administering the Act, is the London County Council. By its
terms every midwife must before practising give notice of her
intention to do so to the London County Council, and must
give a similar notice in January of each year during which she
continues to practise. In 1910, 21 midwives resident in Finsbury
gave notice of their intention to practise. Of these 14 were
associated with the three following institutions, either as resident
midwives or as pupil midwives:—
The City of London Lying-in Hospital, City Road.
The Royal Maternity Charity, 31, Finsbury Square.
The Maternity Nursing Association, 63, Myddelton Square.
The City of London Lying-in Hospital was founded in 1750,
the Royal Maternity Charity in 1757.
In addition to the above, the students of St. Bartholomew's
Hospital attend mothers in St. Luke's and Clerkenwell under
the supervision of qualified resident medical officers.