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point, it seems perfectly clear that the increase in the rate was not the result of any
slackening in the efforts of those charged with or assisting in the prevention of
infantile mortality.
Than 1916, indeed, no year has seen greater progress in connection with works
designed to preserve infant life.
In previous reports full descriptions have been given of the system in operation
in the Borough and it has been shown how steadily the official effort of the Borough
Council and the voluntary effort of the Marylebone Health Society have developed,
and how closely the two efforts have united.
During the year under review the development has been continued and the
union strengthened. At the end of the year the scheme in operation was taking on a
good shape. Under it much work of the greatest value and importance was done
and the time brought appreciably nearer, when it may be said that no mother in the
Borough need go far to find someone ready, willing and able to help and guide her in
the difficult task of motherhood.
The following summary prepared for the Local Government Board shows the
lines taken in connection with the work and gives much statistical information with
regard to what was done in 1916.
"Health Visitors.—One whole-time Health Visitor who works only in
connection with the Church Street Centre of the Health Society, and three parttime
Health Visitors who are also Sanitary Inspectors. The voluntary workers of
the St. Marylebone Health Society and of the League of Social Service also do
visiting in co-operation with the work of the Council. The borough is divided into
three districts, and in 1916 the Municipal Health Visitors made 5,067 visits to
1,840 infants, and the voluntary visitors attached to the St. Marylebone School
for Mothers made 3,343 visits to 502 infants. Children are visited up to school age.
Centres—Voluntary.—The St. Marylebone Health Society have four centres:
(1) North Marylebone School of Mothercraft, Church Street, has an ante- and postnatal
consultation under medical supervision. The Municipal Health Visitors
co-operate. The ante-natal work is linked up with the Queen Charlotte's Lying-in
Hospital. (2) South Marylebone School of Mothercraft, St. Marylebone General
Dispensary, 77, Welbeck Street, W. An ante-natal clinic which is linked up with
the Middlesex Hospital, is held once weekly, and an infant consultation is held twice
weekly, both under medical supervision. There is a superintendent and a part-time
assistant, both of whom are nurses. Children attend up to school age, and the
Municipal Health Visitors co-operate. 264 Children attended in 1916 and there
were altogether 1,591 attendances. The Municipal Health Visitor attends. No
treatment is given. (3) Ogle Mews, Ogle Street, IV. 150 children attended in
1916, and there were altogether 813 attendances at the infant consultations. Classes
for cookery, needlework and hygiene are held weekly: and (4) Henry Street.
Infant consultation held weekly, attended by the Municipal Health Visitor.
125 children attended in 1916, and there were altogether 852 attendances.
Ante-natal work as indicated above. There are two voluntary ante-natal clinics.
Visiting is undertaken by the Municipal Health Visitors and by the workers
attached to the societies, and there is a system of co-operation with the Middlesex
and Queen Charlotte's Lying-in Hospitals.
Hospital Treatment.— Children's cases are referred from the centres to the
dispensary and hospitals, and the Queen Charlotte's Lying-in and Middlesex
Hospitals are available for ante-natal and complicated maternity cases."