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is visited, not much work was done in this connection
in 1909. Another circumstance had a somewhat unfortunate
effect—and this was the very wet weather.
It is a common experience that in inclement weather
it is difficult to obtain admission; for the recently
confined woman is often alone, and probably not feeling
very strong is disinclined to open the door to
strangers. Whether this was the reason, or not, certainly
the number of mothers called on but never
found, was exceptionally large.
The visitation of infants disclosed a large amount
of poverty and distress; discloses too how very brave
and patient many of these poor mothers are. One
could fill pages with accounts of their sufferings caused
by want of food, and necessary comforts, unemployed
husbands, large families, and overwork; and I am
quite certain that much suffering, and even fatal
results, have been averted by the timely help afforded
through this department. When brought face to face
with cases of this kind practical help must be the first
consideration; for no one in a state of semi-starvation
could be expected to listen to and act upon advice.
I feel sure that continuously underfed mothers seriously
increase infantile ill-health and mortality.
It is not of course meant to imply that every mother
visited is so desperately poor, nor that all of them do
every thing they should do. Some are careless, some
lazy and will not take trouble. But it is exceptional
to find a really dirty baby of only two or three weeks
old. The mothers seem to start well—but undoubtedly
many need keeping up to the mark.