View report page

46
the year, the service was extended to cover illness
directly arising from pregnancy and confinement.
This is as far as the Council can go with its powers
under the M. & C.W. Act.
It must be recognised, however, that there are
many emergencies which arise in a worker's home,
particularly during an illness of the mother, unconnected
with childbirth, where the assistance of a
Home Help would be of great value in preserving the
health and comfort of the invalid and the family.
Legislation to authorise such an extension of the
service would be a very good thing.
MATERNITY OUTFITS.
Outfits were issued as follows :—Free, 155 ; Sold,
60. Total, 215.
BREAST FEEDING CLINIC.
(CORNWALL ROAD CENTRE).
Dr. Horton reports :
No case is referred to this clinic unless there is a strong
possibility that breast feeding will be discontinued unless
some extra care and supervision can be given to the particular
mother and infant. All normal breast feeding cases attend
the infant consultations. Mothers value this clinic and
return voluntarily for test feeds to make sure that the
baby is getting a correct feed.
Nearly 50 per cent. were completely successful in breast
feeding up to the normal time for weaning and 28.3 per cent.
successfully breast fed their infants with the aid of a small
complementary feed given with a spoon, so that in 76 per
cent. of cases in which breast feeding was to be given up
altogether it was successfully continued up to normal weaning
age.
Test feeds are given on Tuesday mornings and Friday
afternoons in as quiet and comfortable surroundings as
possible. Complementary feeds are given with a spoon
under supervision as it has been found that the infants tend
to avoid the harder work of sucking a nipple if they get
accustomed to sucking a rubber teat. Any cases requiring
a doctor's opinion are seen by the Medical Officer and a discussion
between mother, doctor and nurse follows. It is