London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Holborn 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn Borough]
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73
Supply of Milk and Food for Expectant and Nursing Mothers and for Infants.
The supply of milk and food at less than cost price was continued during the
year for nursing mothers, expectant mothers in the last three months of pregnancy,
children up to three years of age and, exceptionally, to children between three and
five years of age.
During the year 275 applicants received free or assisted milk under the scheme.
This number included 126 who were receiving such assistance at the end of 1936.
Grants were made to 143 new applicants.
At the end of the year 1937, 147 applicants were receiving assistance, viz.:—
| Mothers. | Children. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free milk | 49 | 123 | |
| Half-price milk | 9 | 4 | 13 |
| Prepared milk | 7 | 4 | 11 |
| 90 | 57 | 147 |
The following table shows in detail how the 149 new applicants were assisted in 1937:—
| Milk. | Dried Milk. | Prepared Milk. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free. | Part Cost. | Free. | Part Cost. | Free, | Part Cost. | |
| Expectant mothers | 25 | 4 | 2 | |||
| Nursing mothers | 24 | 7 | 8 | 1 | ||
| Children | 55 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 1 | —' |
Home Help.
The Council's Home Helps attended 22 cases during the year.
All applications for the services of the Home Help are considered by the
Assistance Sub-Committee of the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee.
In two cases of extreme necessity the services of the Home Help were
granted free. In all other cases the applicants were required to contribute towards
the cost, contributions ranging from 2s. 6d. per week up to 15s. per week. The
services of the Home Help have been much appreciated; and it has been found
that the Council's provision meets a much felt want in the Borough.
Convalescent Homes.
Nineteen mothers each with baby and one or more toddlers were sent to the
Zachary Merton Convalescent Home. Twelve mothers with infants only were
sent to the Home. Eleven of the 31 cases referred to above were sent free of
charge. Nine children under 5 years of age were sent to various convalescent
homes, two free of charge.
Emergency Homes.
Four children were sent to emergency homes, 3 free of charge.
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