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16
see that her wishes were respected. A compromise was effected
by clothing the baby in a cotton shirt next to the skin and a
woollen shirt over the cotton one.
8. The "nurse" was an office cleaner. Her hands were very
dirty. Her clothing was filthy and smelt very offensively. She
was very unreliable and often late in attending to the mother.
On thes'i occasions the mother got up from bed, washed herself
and the baby, and went back to bed. Subsequently, the mother
became ill, and did not get up from her confinement for many
weeks.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
A sum of money has been voted by Parliament in aid of the
expenditure of local authorities and voluntary agencies in respect
of institutions or other provision lor maternity and child welfare.
It is to be noted that:—
1. The grant is not meant to defray the whole expenditure of
local authorities: it is only in aid of such expenditure.
2. Local Authorities and Voluntary Agencies both participate
in the distribution of the grant.
3. The expenditure is not only in respect of the care of
children under one year, but also in respect of the welfare
of—
Expectant mothers with children yet unborn.
Mothers during and after their confinements.
Children between the ages of one year and five years.
It contemplates the care of the mother during pregnancy,
during and after her confinement, and the care of the child before,
during, and after its birth until it has reached the age of five years,
when it is taken over by the School Authorities under the Scheme
for the Medical Inspection of School Children.
A fairly complete scheme comprises:—
1. The local supervision of midwives. In London, the Midwives
Act, 1902, is administered by the London County
Council.