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31
Part VI of the Report on the nutritional value of milk and requested
the Council to take an early opportunity of reviewing their arrangements
in connection with the Maternity and Child Welfare services
in the light of the Report and to inform him as soon as possible
of the result of their consideration of the circular. The Council had
always placed a liberal interpretation upon the various instructions
issued by the Minister with regard to the supply of milk to necessitous
expectant and nursing mothers and children. They had also
for many years supplied various medicinal preparations of nutritive
value at their infant welfare centres, free where necessary, and in
other cases at approximately cost price. They nevertheless, in
September, revised the scale of assessment, in order to widen its
scope, and they also authorised an increase in the quantity
of milk which, in suitable cases, could be supplied.
Dental Clinic.
This clinic was established in 1920 as an integral part of the
Council's scheme for Maternity and Child Welfare to provide facilities
for the dental treatment of expectant and nursing mothers and
children under 5 years of age. Five sessions are held weekly in
addition to one for tuberculous patients (vide page 93).
This service is provided, under contract, by the British Dental
Hospital, who supply the dental surgeon, equipment, and other
requisites. Advice, extractions, fillings, &c., are supplied free of
cost, but a moderate charge is made for artificial dentures which
is borne by the patient, assisted in necessitous cases by contributions
obtained from various philanthropic bodies, including
the Samaritan Fund of the British Dental Hospital, and also by
grants from the Council.
The dental clinic is also available for patients recommended
by the medical officers of the Maternity and Child Welfare clinics
of the voluntary associations linked up with the Council's scheme.