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15
Dr. Iredell writes :—
" The babies on the whole flourish much better than
could have been expected considering their environment.
" Even London babies need to spend most of their lives
out of doors, and a great difficulty arises in regard to babies
living in large blocks of flats such as some so-called ' model
dwellings.' One finds that on the whole the babies living in
them tend to suffer from lack of fresh air. When the flat
is upstairs, the mother of a young family is not often able to
take the children out, nor dare she trust the baby to have
its sleep outside. When there is a pram which has to be
kept upstairs it may be that the children cannot go out unless
both the father and mother are able to assist in the starting
of the expedition, and often days may pass with the little
ones confined to the flat."
Dr. N. Pinkerton writes : —
" The medical work at the Infant Welfare Clinic falls
under two heads :—
(a) The actual inspection of each child, and
(b) Advising the mother as to the health and general
management of the child.
" When the child is first seen it is stripped, and any
defects, acquired or congenital, are noted and pointed out to
the mother. Its full history is obtained and methods of
feeding enquired into; the mother is advised as to the general
treatment of the child; any faulty methods of feeding or
upbringing are pointed out and explained, and the mother is
urged to attend regularly.
"in the case of very delicate babies it is advisable that
they should be seen by the doctor at least once a week ; in
some exceptional cases, they have attended twice a week
until the baby has 'turned the corner.'
"It is most gratifying to realise how much most mothers
appreciate the advice as to the feeding and upbringing of
their children. The young mother feels she needs advice and
help, and the mother of many children realizes from her own
past experience the value of what is told her.
"The teaching given lays special stress on the importance
of fresh air and sunlight, and the provision of a separate bed,
the regularity of feeding, loose, properly fitting clothing,
proper cleanliness, especially of the nose by keeping it clear,
and keeping the mouth closed; the use of purgatives is
deprecated.