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44
Disinfectant soap was given from this department in certain instances.
This has also been supplied to special cases reported from hospitals.
(6) Visits of Instruction re Management of Infants.
The number of births in Chelsea registered during the year amounted
to 1,473, including 12 twin births and 1 triple birth. In addition there
were 67 infants belonging to this district born in lying-in hospitals in
other Boroughs. These are now reported through the Medical Officer of
Health in whose Borough the hospital is situated. The mothers are
visited on their return to their homes. Wemen confined in the Workhouse
are also visited in their own homes after discharge. In all 480
visits were paid by me during the year with a view to giving simple
instructions to the mothers.
The number of births reported from St. George's Hospital amounted
to 172. The women are attended in their confinement by the hospital
doctors, and are subsequently visited, from time to time, by the lady
visitors in connection with St. George's Maternity Society. A number
of other cases were also visited by them at my suggestion. Without the
aid of this Society it would be impossible to arrange for all the mothers
to be visited after the birth of a child.
The scheme for providing dinners for nursing mothers in this neighbourhood
has considerably extended its work. There are now three
centres in Chelsea, viz., in Sydney-street, Church-street, and at the
World's End. The mothers may come for three months before confinement,
and subsequently after confinement until the infant reaches the
age of nine months, provided the infant is breast-fed. They must
attend for the dinners, which are to be eaten on the premises. A charge
of one penny is made.
The babies are weighed once a fortnight, and their weight is
recorded upon a card which is given to the mother. They are then
examined by a doctor, who advises the mothers as to the feeding of their
infants. These consultations are held on Wednesday afternoons, and
are open to any Chelsea mother who wishes for advice as to the feeding
or management of her child.
It is hoped shortly to start a Provident Club in connection with this
scheme so that expectant mothers may be taught to lay aside small sums
weekly for the inevitable expenses of their confinement.
At the present time many of the women neglect to save up for this
beforehand, and so, later on, are unable to provide themselves with the
ordinary requirements, for which they then become dependant upon
charity.
During the year a special birth enquiry has been made in Chelsea
in accordance with the instructions issued by the Home Office. Evidence
is required by the Home Secretary as to the employment of women in
domestic and industrial work, both before and after child-birth, with a
view to ascertaining the effect of such employment upon the general
health of the mother and the infant.
The inquiry was to be limited to infants born during 1908, but the
observations are to be made until the child attains the age of twelve
months, so that the investigations will not be completed until the end of