View report page

26
to supplement the official work of the Public Health Committee, the Council
grant the free use of the Town Hall for meetings and other purposes in connection
with the establishment of the proposed Committee.
Extract from Council's Minutes, 4th May, 1911.
(d) Infantile Mortality.
At the Council Meeting on the 6th April, 1911, the report of the
Public Health Committee, dated the 29th March, 1911, was referred back to the
Committee for further consideration and report.
We have again given further and very careful consideration to the
important question of the reduction of infantile mortality in the Borough.
Since April, 1908, the subject has from time to time been before the
Committee, bat, the Council having no power to incur expenditure in dealing
with the matter, beyond that involved in the appointment of Health Visitors, we
have considered as to the prospect of useful assistance and necessary aid being
afforded apart from the Council. As it appears that no effectual work is being
done, \*e are strongly of opinion that it is now .time that the Council should, as
the Sanitary Authority of the Borough, recognise that some steps must be taken
to deal with the matter.
The London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1908, confers upon the
Council the power to appoint suitable women (to be known as "Health
Visitors") for the purpose of giving to persons advice as to the proper nurture,
care and management of young children, and the promotion of cleanliness, and
discharging such other duties as may be assigned to them in accordance with
the regulations of the Local Government Board. The London County Council
may contribute any sum not exceeding one-half of the salary of any person
appointed as a Health Visitor. Further than this, the Council has no power.
That being so, it is the intention of members of the Committee to take action to
establish a Committee to afford aid in the direction of the care of infants,
assistance to expectant and nursing mothers, the provision of a school for
mothers, the establishment of creches, midwifery kits and like matters. Having
regard to the importance of the subject, it is hoped that many members of the
Council will join the proposed Committee and endeavour to secure the active
personal services of other persons. We also propose that the Committee to be
formed should act upon the official information obtained by the Public Health
Committee.
In order to secure the objects we have in view, we feel that better and
fuller provision should be made for dealing with the notification of births
received under the Notification of Births Act, 1907, and in order to give fit and
proper attention to all birth cases, we are of opinion that the appointment of an
official Health Visitor will eventually become necessary. In the event of the
successful establishment of the proposed Committee, it is the intention of this
Committee to recommend to the Council the appointment of a suitable person
as Health Visitor. We now
Recommend—That in order to assist the project of members of the Public
Health Committee in regard to the establishment of a Committee to obtain
funds and to supplement, the official work of the Public Health Committee, the
Council grant the free use of the Town Hall for meetings and other purposes
in connection with the establishment of the proposed committee. (Adopted.)
J. W. Ward,
Chairman.