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15
Provision of Special Drugs at Maternity Centre.
The Public Health and Housing Committee had under consideration
the question of provision of special drugs, which the Council may
provide at cost price, in connection with the Bow Maternity Centre.
The Council's Medical Attendant being in attendance only on one
afternoon in each week, it is inadvisable that she should treat patients,
but the Committee were of opinion that certain preparations should
be supplied at cost price, and approved proposed arrangements made
for such provision by a chemist in the immediate vicinity of the Centre,
on the order of the Medical Officer in attendance, as follows:—
4 ozs. Virol (in container) 4½d.
3 ,, Extract of Malt (in own cup) 2½d.
3 ,, Cod Liver Oil (in own container) 6d.
Dusting Powder, according to prescription Id.
In cases where the mother is unable to afford payment the
preparation will be supplied free of charge, one half the cost being
met by the Local Government Board.
The Council has no power to provide foods other than those of the
nature of the preparations referred to, which are classed as drugs. The
Committee recommended the Council to approve their action.
Baby Show.
A Baby Show was organised by the Council's Health Visitor,
Miss A. E. Hall, and held at the Mayor's Gardens Fete, on July 6th.
The Show was extremely well organised and highly successful, and the
Public Health and Housing Committee desired to express their indebted,
ness to Miss Hall for her action in the matter and congratulated her
on the success of her efforts. The Committee were of opinion such
functions are valuable, by promoting a spirit of emulation in the healthy
rearing of babies, in reducing infantile mortality.
Appointment of Clerk in Maternity Department.
The Public Health and Housing Committee considered the question
of clerical assistance in the Health Visiting Department. The Maternity
Scheme includes the keeping of records of each case for five years,
and between 8,000 and 9,000 birth cards are now being dealt with.
With at least twelve whole time Visitors working in the Borough, the
clerical work has necessarily increased, and the Health Visitors would
be engaged more advantageously in visiting a larger number of cases
than in copying out particulars.