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26
Milk Order.
During 1924, Milk, both fresh and dried, was supplied by
the Council free or at reduced rates to Necessitous Expectant and
Nursing Mothers and Children under 5 years of age. The following
table gives particulars relating to the number of persons supplied,
quantities distributed and cost after deducting payments made:—
Year.
Dried Milk.
Fresh Milk.
Cost (after
deducting
payments
made).
Persons
Supplied.
lbs.
Supplied.
Persons
Supplied.
Pints
Supplied.
£
1920 1,473 15,588 233 31,894 3,330
1921 2,391 49,020 301 27,254 5,011
1922 2,469 61,511 260 23,879 5,279
1923 2,231 50,110 219 25,633 3,288
1924 1,840 51,837 178 17,654 2,533
Ante-natal Work.
Very considerable progress was made in the development of
the Ante-natal side of the Borough Maternity and Child Welfare
Scheme. In April, 1924, a part-time Medical Officer (Dr. Alice
Bloomfield, M.D., F.R.C.S.) specially skilled in the diseases of
women was appointed by the Council, and her services were allocated
to this branch of our Maternity work. She was given medical
charge of the three principal clinics, two of which art held at the
Borough Maternity Hospital (out-patient department) and one
at the Latchmere Centre. In addition to these main ante-natal
clinics subsidiary clinics are held at the All Saints' Parish Hall
and Plough Road Centre under the direction of the Assistant
Medical Officer (Maternity and Child Welfare), Dr. Martha Hamilton,
M.B., and at 111, Bridge Road West (Women's League of Service)
Centre. The latter alinic is under the supervision of the Medical
Officer appointed by the Voluntary Organisation in charge of this
centre, but the work is linked up with that of the Council's Scheme.
A Health Visitor, a fully trained Nurse, is in attendance at
each of these Clinics, and interviews the mothers prior to their
being seen by the Doctor for medical examination.
It is satisfactory to note that this important development of
the Borough Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme has been much
appreciated by the expectant and nursing mothers, and has already
produced valuable results.
Under the new arrangements above outlined, it is anticipated
that still better results will accrue from the measures being taken
to secure the reduction of maternal mortality. In the valuable
report by Dame Janet Campbell recently issued by the Ministry
of Health the necessity for such increased efforts is evident. The