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Convalescent Treatment.
During the year 14 children under the age of 5 years received
convalescent treatment for a period of one month; a mother whose
infant had died was sent for treatment for a similar period; two
mothers and their infants for one month; another mother and her
baby for two weeks, also a mother and child for a period of 4 days.
In this latter case the appropriate Committee authorised treatment
for a period of one month, but unfortunately domestic
difficulties arose which compelled the patient to return home.
Homes for Unmarried Mothers.
The work in connection with the care of the unmarried mother
and her infant was continued to be carried out during the year by
the National British Women's Temperance Association in their
House of Help," 201, Camberwell Grove, and by the Southwark
Diocesan Association, whose arrangements provide for the
boarding out of the mother and her infant in Homes approved by
the Ministry of Health.
Milk.
The distribution of milk in accordance with the Ministry of
Health Circular No. 185 was continued during the year. Approximately
254,000 pints of cows' milk, together with 17,000 lbs. of
dried milk were distributed to necessitous persons in the Borough,
at an estimated cost of £3,250. Every application was duly considered
by the appropriate Committee, which met every week
throughout the year, and a grant was made where the income,
after the deduction of rent, did not exceed the amount laid down
in the approved scale. Enquiries were instituted in every case
where a doubt existed in regard to the information stated in the
application, and in two instances it was found necessary to
request the attendance of the applicants before the Committee to
offer an explanation as to the conflicting information relating
to their domestic circumstances. In both cases it was decided
that the nature of the irregularity did not warrant any steps being
taken other than the administration of a severe reprimand.
The Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1926.
This Act came into force on July 1st, 1927. Under its provisions
still-births are required to be registered by Registrars of
Births and Deaths. The parent or other person who would be
liable to register the birth if it were a live birth is liable to attend
upon the registrar and act as informant of the still-birth, and to
produce to the registrar either the certificate of a registered
medical practitioner or midwife that he or she was in attendance
at the birth, or had examined the body of the still-born child, and
that the child was not born alive, or failing such certificate to