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The Medical Officers attending the Infant Welfare Centres were
asked to submit any evidence, statistical or otherwise, that unemployment,
low wages, or high rents, have exercised any significant influence
on the health or physique of the children attending the Infant Welfare
Centres, and I submit their replies :—
Margery Blandy, M.B., M.R.C.P. (Medical Officer attending Swiss
Cottage, Heath Street, and Lisburne Road Infant Welfare
Centres), states that
" I compared those families in whom the father was out
of work and who therefore received milk forms and for
whom 1 recommended free milk either wet or dry, for nursing
mother or baby, and cod liver oil.
The effect of straightened circumstances does not necessarily
become very apparent in the children who attend my
Clinics. It would appear that the free milk and cod liver
oil is definitely of great benefit in maintaining the health of
the babies up to 18 months."
Agnes Sidney Hall-Craggs, M.R.C.S., L.RC.P. (Medical Officer
attending the Health Institute and Mill Lane Infant Welfare
Centres), states
" Out of 500 cases investigated, taking an equal number
of employed and unemployed families :—
(1) Approximately double the number of "unemployed "
children are unsatisfactory.
Unemployed: 45 per cent. unsatisfactory.
Employed: 20 per cent. unsatisfactory.