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67
the Council to vote a further sum of £25 for the provision of milk and food
for expectant and nursing mothers and childern up to five years of age.
6. Convalescent Home", &c.—The Board's circular indicates that
their grant of 50 per cent, is available also for —
1. The provision of accommodation in convalescent homes for
nursing mothers and for children under five years of age.
2. The provision of homes and other arrangements for
attending to the healih of children of widowed, deserted
and un-married mothers, under five years of age.
3. Experimental work for the health of exp. ctan' and nursing
mothers and of infan's and children under five years of
age carried out by Local Authorities or voluntary
agencies with the approval of the Board.
These are imporiant branches of the same subject, to which further
consideration might be given before any recommendations are submitted
to the Council.
I have recently been given to understand that a movement is on
foot to grapple with the question indicated in item 2 of this list, and
should this materialise the Borough Council should give all possible aid
in fuithering their endeavours, for, as I have stated, the illegitimate
child is one of the chief causes of our infantile mortality.
I am making inquiries as to the experience of other authorities in
these matters, and hope to report on the subject at a later date.
Meanwhile, I would suggest that these are pioneer works for which the
energies of the voluntary bodies are eminently suited.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obebient servant,
FRANK E. SCRASE,
f.r.c.s. (Eng.), d p.h.(Lond).
Medical Officer of Health. "
The proposals in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 5 of the Report for
extending and improving the work were approved by the Borough
Council on 15th Mav and 19th June, 1919. The Ante-Natal Clinic at
No. 59, South End Road, to serve the eastern portion of the Borough,
was opened in August, and has been approved by the Ministry of
Health pending the provision of other premises for the purpose.
The propositions set out in paragraph 3 were duly incorporated in an
arrangement with the Nursing Associations, each of which now
employs a fully trained certificated Midwife, a portion of whose salary is
guaranteed by the Council; and the suggested arrangement with Queen
Charlotte's Hospital was also duly entered into. The total amount voted
by the Council for the supply of free or assisted milk during the year
was £1,075, and details of the arrangements made are stated in the
Section of this Report relating to Food.