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41
These latter measures, however, are only palliative and
alleviatory—they are not essentially preventative. They partake
of the nature of relief—and this, to some minds is almost the
same as anathema.
It is just as well, nevertheless, to confront the actual facts and
to take these suggestions into serious consideration. Their
realisation might well be undertaken by voluntary or charitable
organisations interested in the Borough.
The work of the weighing centres is not restricted merely to
weighing the children and entering the results on cards. The
mother's diet and the child's feeding are inquired into very carefully,
and appropriate advice is given. Babies and mothers who
are ill are referred to various hospitals, or out-patient letters are
given for dispensary treatment.
It must be noted, however, that it is quite rare to find an
ailing mother or child at the weighing centres who is not already
under medical supervision. The large number of general and
special hospitals, of dispensaries, and of nursing institutions in
and near the Borough, make it an easy matter for any mother
to obtain prompt medical treatment for herself and child. The
necessity of securing the personal attendance of a doctor at each
meeting of the weighing centres does, therefore, not apply with
the same cogency in Finsbury as it applies in other less favoured
districts.
On each occasion the mothers are encouraged to ask questions,
and short lectures are given on appropriate subjects. Model
clothes suitable for the babies of poor parents, are shown to
the mothers, and their advantages demonstrated. The mothers
are shown how to cut out and make the garments. Typewritten
directions for the knitting of woollen vests are given gratis.
Tubeless feeding bottles, and special teats are sold at cost
price to those who can pay, but are given free of charge to
poor mothers.