View report page

65
were provided in 55 cases, including 22 children. Dentures, 11 upper and 10
lower, were provided for 11 patients, 10 of whom contributed towards the cost
In five cases dentures were remodelled; eight were repaired and dressings were
given in 33 cases. In the provision of dentures the cost is based on the charge
approved for the time being for dentists on the Ministry of Pensions Panel.
Supply of Milk and Food for Expectant and Nursing Mothers and for Infants.
In March, 1921, an Order was issued by the Ministry of Health revoking the
Local Authorities Milk (Mothers and Children Order), 1919. At the same time a
circular was issued by the Ministry setting out the revised conditions on which
sanction would be given to schemes under the Maternity and Child Welfare Act,
1918, for the supply of milk, to expectant and nursing mothers and children under
five years of age. These conditions limited the supply of milk at less than cost
price to—
(a) Nursing Mothers;
(b) Expectant mothers in the last three months of pregnancy;
(c) Children up to three years of age and, exceptionally, to children between
three and five years of age.
In sanctioning expenditure for the supply of such milk, the Minister of
Health suggested the substitution in desirable cases of meals instead of milk for
mothers. Arrangements were therefore made for the supply of such meals at the
Maternity Centre in casts where the Medical Officer of the Centre reported this
form of assistance would be preferable to the supply of milk. It was not, however,
necessary to effect the substitution in any case during the year.
In August, 1922. the Ministry of Health addressed a communication to the
Council suggesting a revision in the scale of income for regulating the supply of
milk and food to expectant and nursing mothers and infants. The Minister of
Health expressed the opinion that many scales in force in London, including that
adopted by the Council, were too high, having regard to the general fall in the
cost of living as represented by the official index figure. He also suggested that
the Council should endeavour to obtain milk for this service on specially reduced
terms. The scale of necessity then in operation in the Borough was that adopted
by the Council in October, 1921, when having regard to the actual and
contemplated fall in the cost of living considerable reductions were made.
The Maternity and Child Welfare Committee were satisfied from experience
in considering numerous applications made to them for milk at less than cost
price and from their knowledge of economic conditions in Central London, that
no further reductions could be made in the scale at present, without risk of
considerable hardship.
Representations to this effect were submitted to the Ministry of Health and
ultimately the continuance of the scale then in operation, was sanctioned without
modification. This scale is as follows: —
F