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33
is a new idea both to old-fashioned midwives as well as to expectant
mothers to prepare the way for a safe delivery by the early removal
of any adverse causes ; consequently some midwives and expectant
mothers do not look very favourably upon Maternity Centres.
However, the nett result of the year's work is distinctly encouraging.
Certain measures are in preparation which, it is confidently believed,
will increase the attendances. In regard to the Milk (Mothers' and
Children) Order, 1918, some little time elapsed before this was
applied to many cases in the Borough. However, by the end of
the year, a considerable number of necessitous cases were receiving
milk under its provisions. The procedure observed in all cases is
as follows:—Where a case is mentioned by the Medical Officers of
the Centres, an enquiry is made by a Health Visitor as to its necessitous
character. The nature of the enquiry may be seen from the
following form of enquiry used by the Health Visitor in these
cases.
Enquiry form re grant of milk to expectant or nursing mothers,
or children under five years of age.
Financial Circumstances.
Name Address
Maternal or Infant Centre attended
No. of persons in family No. of rooms occupied
Rental of home Estimated weekly income of
family from all sources
Remarks
Enquiries made by
Date of enquiries Health Visitor.
If the circumstances show the case to be necessitous, an order
is given for milk, to be supplied to the patient by the usual milk
vendor, to the amount and for the time recommended by the
doctor attending the Welfare Centre. Milk supplied free of cost
to necessitous cases during the year involved the Council in an
expenditure of £114 3s.
c