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remarks on this subject from my last report. This, however, only
continues for a period of a month, or six weeks at furthest, after
which period working mothers here find it necessary to supplement
the meagre income by work of some description. Their infants
ate then left in charge of a stranger or some inexperienced member
of the family, the result being they are artificially fed, and the
wonder is that the infantile mortality is not much greater. It
speaks well for the vitality of the infantile population that they
survive the extraordinary methods of feeding to which some of
them are subjected. Any enquiries into the subject of breast
feeding and the best methods of ensuring its continuance will be
incomplete if the economic conditions of the mothers is not taken
into account.
Baby Classes.
There are two classes held, one in the suite of rooms used as a
tenement in the Neckinger Shelter, and the other at 163, Abbeyfield
Road, by kind permission of Sister Miriam, of the Lady Gomm Dispensary.
The suite of rooms at the shelter consist of a kitchen and
two bedrooms and bath and lavatory accommodation. The kitchen
is used as a waiting room, the large bedroom as an undressing and
weighing room, and the small bedroom for medical consultations.
The clientèle for this class comes mainly from the western district
in charge of Miss Nuttall, and she has shown great interest in the
keeping up of the attendance with very satisfactory results. She
was ably assisted on class day by Mrs. Croke, from whose district a
few babies came. The average attendance here was 26.
The class in 163, Abbeyfield Road was under the special care
of Mrs. Croke. As the space was limited, we had to limit the attendance,
the average attendance here being 8 per week.
The medical work of these consultations was done by myself,
and the year's work impressed me more than ever of the value of
these consultations. The mothers take a great interest in them, and
appreciate the advice very highly. No attempt was made to treat
serious disease since as soon as any is discovered the patient is