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46
the Council amounted to £29 19s. Od., and two of the families
concerned were charged with the balance of £1 10s. Od.
Seventeen other children attending the Council's Welfare
Centres were sent away for a period of convalescence through the
agency of the Invalid Children's Aid Association.
In addition to the above a number of mothers and children
attending the centres of the Women's League of Service were sent
away for convalescence, the cost of which was not borne by the
Council (vide page 26).
St. Thomas's Babies' Hostel.
Since 1926 cases have been sent from the Borough Maternity
and Child Welfare clinics to this Hostel for the encouragement of
breast feeding.
The result of this work during 1936 is as follows:—
A. Test Feeds.
Number of cases, 157, comprising: Mothers, 157;
babies, 158. Number of attendances, 473.
13 of these cases received in-patient treatment.
B. In-Patient Treatment.
Battersea cases received—
11 mothers and 17 babies sent by Council.
1 mother and 9 babies sent from other sources.
Period of stay.
Cases sent by Council—11 mothers and 17 babies,
920 days; average, mothers 20 days, babies
41 days.
Other cases—1 mother and 9 babies, 290 days ;
mother 5 days, babies (average) 31-9 days.
A contribution of £150 is made by the Council annually in
respect of the work carried out by the Hostel for Battersea
mothers.
Nursing Facilities.
The Council have made arrangements with the South London
District Nursing Association, of 109 Clapham Common North Side,
for the nursing of mothers and children under the powers contained
in the Maternity and Child Welfare Act of 1918, and also of patients
suffering from certain infectious illnesses. A payment of 8d. per
visit was formerly made in respect of attendances on cases of
infectious disease, but the Council in January, on the recommendation
of the Health Committee, granted an application by the Association
for an increased payment, and fixed the amount at £300
per annum, in lieu of the former per capita grant. The alteration
came into force on 1st April, 1936.