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52
At each meeting of the weighing centres, the babies are weighed
and the results entered on cards which are kept by the mothers.
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 institutions, or out-patient
letters are given for dispensary treatment. On each occasion the
mothers are encouraged to ask questions, and short lectures of
ten minutes duration 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 and patterns are
distributed. Typewritten directions for the knitting of woollen
vests are given gratis.
The Public Health Department supplies the following details
at cost price to mothers, free of cost to poor mothers : Tubeless
sanitary feeding-bottles, special rubber teats, weighted cloth
covers for milk jugs, cot covers, bristle brushes, drop tubes,
woollen vests, pneumonia jackets, and "Finsbury Cream." Disinfectant
soap is given on request. The bristle brushes are for
cleaning out milk bottles. The drop tubes are for the treatment
of eye affections in babies. The "Finsbury Cream" is a special
form of fat food for wasting and delicate children.
The Council issues leaflets on infant feeding, summer diarrhoea,
measles, deaths from overlying, the fly crusade, and a booklet on
infant care and management. Thousands of these are given each
year to Finsbury mothers. A list of the subjects for lectures at
the Weighing Centres is appended.
List of Subjects for Lectures.
1. Expectant mothers. The signs of pregnancy. The care
of the breasts and of the teats. Vaginal discharges—
treatment. Ophthalmia Neonatorum. Miscarriages—
treatment and prevention.
2. The last months of pregnancy. The care of the mother's
health. Signs and symptoms of disease that may call for
medical intervention,