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14
Even though the distribution of milk, both fresh and dried, is now
dealt with by the Ministry of Food, expectant and nursing mothers
and children can still be supplied with dried milk at the Welfare Centre
and, in addition, Cod Liver Oil and fruit juices.
When the Milk Depot was established mothers were encouraged
to bring their children at regular intervals for weighing. No centre
for examination and advice was available until 1908 when a voluntary
society held a session on alternate Thursday afternoons at the
Latchmere Baths, where a room was placed at their disposal free of
charge) by the Council. This Society was formed with the object of
visiting the T.B. patients, lying-in cases and babies attending hospital
and the Council agreed to the Medical Officer of Health rendering such
assistance as he considered necessary.
The weighing rooms used in connection with the supply of
sterilized milk were not exclusively used by children in receipt of
such milk and with a trained woman sanitary inspector in attendance
advice was given, and any serious deviation from the normal progress
of the child was reported to the Medical Officer of Health.
In January, 1915, the Council, following the receipt of a
memorandum on the subject from the Local Government Board
decided to formulate a comprehensive scheme for Maternity and Child
Welfare, and as a commencement to establish a Welfare Centre, with
the regular attendance thereat of a Medical Officer. It was, however
not until February, 1917, that the Centre was opened at Latchmere
Baths.
In December, 1917, an additional Centre was established at Lurline
Gardens, the Medical Consultant attending on alternate weeks. This
was transferred to Battersea Tabernacle in May, 1919.
In December, 1919, a room at Plough Road Baths was put at
the disposal of the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee for use
as a Centre, which in the first instance was run by the Battersea School
for Mothers to whom an annual grant was made in respect of both
this Centre and the one maintained by them at Mundella Road. During
1919 arrangements were made for massage to be provided, where
necessary at the Centres.
As an ancillary to the Council's scheme in 1920 a grant was made
to the Women's League of Service, a voluntary organisation, in
connection with the provision of dinners to mothers and children under
the Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme. These grants were continued
until 1937, when the scope of the work was extended and a specified
payment was made from a block grant received from the Government.
In July, 1920, the Centre at Plough Road was taken over from
the Battersea School for mothers and administered direct by the Council.
In the same month the first dental clinic, consisting of one session
weekly, was inaugurated by agreement with the British Dental
Hospital and in each of the years 1923, 1925, 1926, and 1930, was
extended by an additional weekly session. The dental clinics were transferred
to Southlands, but owing to damage due to enemy action
these were discontinued in 1940 and arrangements made with the
London County Council for patients to be dealt with in one of their
general hospitals.