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5. The baby was dirty and unwashed at 3.30 p.m., and left in
the sole charge of a child 10 years of age. The mother was a
street flower seller and fad been out since 8 a.m.
6. The baby was dirty. The mother was ill, but was "drinking
a pint of stout so as to get up her strength and be strong
enough to wash the baby."
7. The baby was 2 weeks old, filthily clad, and had inflamed
eyes. The mother explained that she was unable to wash the
child because she had lent her soap and washing-basin to a neighbour,
who had refused to return them.
Condition of the Eyes.—In 80 babies, or 15 per cent., the
eyes were sore. In 7 additional cases there was a yellow discharge
from one or both eyes. All these were referred by the Lady
Health Visitors to Hospitals for treatment, or were already being
treated there. The very poor recognise three affections of the
eyes— the black eye, the squint, and the "blight," which includes
all the rest.
Squint, it is alleged, is not a disease, but is "due to ignorance,"
though sometimes accredited to "stubbornness."
It is not surprising that, with this primitive register of diseases,
serious conditions of the eyes may be treated as trivial. The
notification of ophthalmia in the newly born, made compulsory in
March, 1911, will do much to remedy this.
In all the above cases the Lady Health Visitors saw that the
treatment prescribed was persevered in, and properly carried out.
Condition of the infant.—Of the 200 no less than 129 were
found to be suffering from thrush. This is a complaint that ought
not to occur, provided the mother washes her breasts daily, and
cleans her teats and the baby's mouth before and after each feed.
It is an index of carelessness and uncleanliness. The Lady
Health Visitors saw that the proper treatment was adopted.
One mother insisted on curing her baby by taking crude soot
from the chimney and rubbing it on her child's tongue. "She