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attend from time to time at the Centres were of considerably more
value than formal lectures delivered perhaps to a relatively large
number of persons.
Infant Life Protection.
The functions relating to Infant Life Protection under Part I.
of the Children Act, 1908, as amended by Part V. of the Children
and Young Persons Act, 1932, were transferred by the Transfer of
Powers (London) Order, 1933, from the London County Council to
Metropolitan Borough Councils as from April Ist, 1933.
The Council decided that these duties should be referred to the
Maternity and Child Welfare Committee by virtue of Section 2 (a)
of the Local Government Act, 1929, and that the three Municipal
health Visitors should undertake this work within their respective
districts, and that with regard to those cases outside these districts,
the work be carried out by one of the women Sanitary Inspectors.
The number of persons who were receiving children for reward
at the end of December last was 98, and the number of boarded-out
children on the register at the same date was 112.
During the period from the transfer of these powers to the end
of the year, 1,101 visits were paid to the homes of these children.
Except in three cases in which appropriate action was taken,
the home conditions were found to be satisfactory. The number
of instances reported of non-compliance by foster-mothers
with the provisions of the Acts was three, and in each case the
Maternity and Child Welfare Committee directed that a warning
notice be sent to the person concerned.
Three children died whilst in the care of foster-mothers, and
the facts were duly reported in each case to the Coroner for the
district as required by Section 6 (1) of the 1908 Act.
In no case was an inquest deemed to be necessary.
No action was necessary under Section 67 of the Act of 1932
requiring the removal to a place of safety of children who were
found to be improperly kept.
Convalescent Treatment.
Convalescent treatment is available for expectant or nursing
mothers and for children under 5 years of age recommended by the
Medical Officers at the Infant Welfare Centres.
A proportion of the actual cost of the treatment provided is
recovered from parents whose financial circumstances are such
that they can make a contribution.
The average period of convalescence authorised by the appropriate
committee was 28 days.
Eleven mothers with their infants were sent to the All Saints'
Hospital, Eastbourne, and three children to the Hertfordshire
County Council Home, St. Leonards-on-Sea, during the year.