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the previous financial year in connection with a maternity
and child welfare scheme would be forthcoming. The
system of grants is now in operation, and acting upon
information supplied on behalf of the Council as to
expenditure made by the Council in connection with
Maternity and Infant Welfare work during the financial
year ended 31st March, 1915, the Local Government
Board has forwarded a grant of £98 7s. in aid of the
Council's expenditure during the financial year 1915-
1916, the grant being equivalent to 50 per cent, of the
expenses incurred in the year ended 31st March, 1915.
The Medical Officer of Health has reported further
to us on the subject of maternity and child welfare, and
he has made a suggestion that before defining the limits
of a materity and child welfare scheme for Bethnal Green,
the Council should endeavour to obtain the services of a
lady doctor temporarily, who would devote the whole of
her time to the work of the Council. Dr. Bate is of
opinion .that if such an officer were appointed she could
undertake the control of the health visitors, give advice to
mothers and expectant mothers, give medical treatment
in small ailments, organise and develop a maternity and
child welfare scheme, assist with tuberculosis work, and
carry out other public health matters, all such duties
being, of course, discharged under the supervision of the
Medical Officer of Health.
We think there is much to be said in favour of the
suggestion made by the Medical Officer of Health, as
amongst other things it would at once provide proper
supervision and control of the existing health visitors,
and tend to insure systematic development of a maternity
and infant welfare scheme, and the efficient discharge