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measures. Should these extend beyond such simple remedies
as suitable diet or an ordinary aperient, the mother is advised to
consult her usual medical attendant. In the case of poor people,
they are given a card for the Evelina Hospital or the Children's
Department of Guy's Hospital. The mothers take a great interest
in the class and especially in the weekly gain in weight of the
infants. They greatly appreciate the advice as to food and clothing
given by the Health Visitors and myself, but we find it very difficult
to overcome old prejudices and customs. As an example, immediately
a baby is born, practically every mother in London buys a
stiff binder about 4 inches broad made of some stiff webbing material.
This is often bound round the body so tightly so that the baby
as far as the trunk is concerned is swathed like a small Egyptian
mummy. The result, naturally, is that the lungs and abdomen
cannot expand properly and bronchitis and bowel troubles are the
result. When objection is made to it we are generally informed
that the baby must have a support to its back and our assurance
that it is not necessary is generally received with polite incredulity.
I am told that in the north of England these binders are
unknown. The average attendance is 15, and it is greatly to be
regretted that owing to lack of room and also time on the part of
the Health Visitors the work cannot be extended.
TUBERCULOSIS DISPENSARY.
The question of a voluntary versus a municipal dispensary
was very acutely debated in the autumn of 1913 and the spring of
1914, and it was finally decided under special agreement to contribute
a sum of £200 to the Voluntary Dispensary and incorporate it to
some extent with the work of the Public Health Department.
Next annual report will contain an account of the working of this
arrangement.
Consultations.
I was called in by medical practitioners to assist in the diagnosis
of 7 cases of doubtful infectious disease.
75 children were examined at the request of school teachers,
school nurses, parents, etc.
I examined at the Town Hall 32 phthisis patients, 7
members of the Council's Staff and 22 candidates for appointments.