London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Battersea 1921
Report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea for the year 1921
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Council was represented, when a resolution protesting most
strongly against the amendments suggested in the Ministry's
circular, and requesting that the milk supply at present obtaining,
as well as the provision of dinners to mothers in suitable
cases, either at feeding centres or elsewhere, should in no way
be reduced, was adopted, and forwarded to the Prime
Minister, the Ministry, and other bodies. A deputation was
also appointed to wait upon the Ministry of Health.
Subsequently, however, a letter was received from the
Ministry, dated the 17th February, 1922, stating that the
Minister had decided to continue during the next financial year
the arrangements at present in force for the supply of milk to
expectant and nursing mothers and to infants, allowing local
authorities to substitute meals for milk where they desire and
are able to do so, and that in the circumstances it was assumed
that the Metropolitan Borough Councils would not wish to send
the proposed deputation.
Largely owing, no doubt, to the extent of unemployment
prevailing, the number of necessitous applicants and the amount
of milk consumed continued during the year to increase, there
being 90,001 lbs. of dried milk and 27,254½ pints of fresh milk
supplied to 2,692 persons during the year.
The extent by which the supply of dried and fresh milk increased in 1921, as compared with 1920, is shown in the following table:—
| Year. | Dried Milk. | Fresh Milk. | Cost (after deducting payments made). | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Persons Supplied. | lbs. Supplied. | Persons Supplied. | Pints Supplied. | ||
| 1920 | 1473 | 15588 | 233 | 31894 | |
| 1921 | 2391 | 49020 | 301 | 27254½ | 5011 |
The value of this service in its effect on the health of the
expectant and nursing mother and young children in workingclass
districts is incontestable. As pointed out in my
Annual Report for 1920, it is to be hoped that this most recent
administrative measure will be continued by the Central
Authority, and that financial considerations will not be permitted
to interfere with one of the most useful provisions in