View report page

36
birth. For the hand-feeding at this early age there
was in each case some sufficient reason; e.g., doctor's
advice, the mother's health, or deformity on the part of
the mother or child. The mothers who were partly
breast-feeding their infants thought the babies were not
satisfied, or they had not sufficient milk. If the
ments made by the mothers are to be believed, they
would prefer to nurse their infants; but they often lose
the milk when getting about again after confinement,
though there is usually an ample supply while they
main in bed. It has been found that when milk could
be obtained for the mothers they have been encouraged
and enabled to persevere with breast-feeding, and both
mother and baby have improved in health. It will be
remembered that in the end of 1909 and the early part
of 1910, the Lady Mayoress' (Lady Knill's) Fund for
God's Poor, did such a large amount of good in our
poor midwifery cases. Since that fund closed we have
had most generous help from the Mayor's Fund
lished in the Borough; and that good is done in this
way is proved by the fact that the babies put on flesh
and gain in weight while the help is continued,
times, unfortunately, falling away again when it is
stopped. It should be mentioned, too. that the Virol
Company has allowed a regular supply of their food for
ten months to one of our babies, who was found in an
almost dying condition. The mother herself was
starved and was only able to nurse the baby for a few
weeks. Milk was obtained for the child in addition to
the Virol, and, though somewhat delicate and not up to
standard in weight or size, he is now a plump, solid,
baby.