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21
[1930
the mothers are encouraged to contribute the 30/- required by having to become
a member of the 'Home-Help Club,' which takes small sums. The number in the
Club is limited to 30. The 'Home-Help' is provided with food. At this Centre
'Home-Helps' have been a decided success; a good type is obtained as they are
guaranteed constant employment."
"Lectures and propaganda at this Centre included a lecture by Dr. Cameron
on 'Some Disturbances of Sleep,' 'Housing' by Alderman Nokes, 'Sanitation'
by Mr. Bridel, Superintendent and Chief Sanitary Inspector of the Public Health
Department. Other lectures included 'Maternal Mortality,' 'Explanation of the
Borough's Scheme for Providing Free Milk,' 'Gardening for the Working-man,'
'The Value of the Mothers' Committee,' 'Care of Milk in the Home,' 'Flies,'
'Common Sense,' 'The Value of Post-Natal Clinics for Mothers,' ' "Light"
Treatment,' and ' Dental Care.'
"The following leaflets are issued by this Centre, entitled collectively 'Suggestions
and Advice for Mothers (Expectant),' 'Amount of Materials and Cost of
Clothing that should be provided for Baby,' 'List of Requisites for a Normal
Labour,' 'Hints for Mothers on Breast Feeding,' 'Care of Teeth during Pregnancy,'
'Ante-Natal Care and Medical Examination' (leaflet giving particulars of
the Night Ambulance Service available between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m.), 'The New
Mother,' setting forth the objects of the Welfare Centre, 'The Special Departments
of the Centre for providing Help and Advice.'
"A visit was also arranged for the mothers attending the Centre to a large
dairy establishment.
South Centre.—"By the time this report is issued the Duncan Terrace Branch
will have been vacated and the Branch will be housed at 'The Rose,' 15, Popham
Road, N.I.
"The work at the Centre's Cottage at Flamstead and at Miss Fleetwood's
Seaside Cottage has been carried on suceessfully, though not without some defects
which seem unavoidable in this part of the work. There was an epidemic of
Measle- in Islington in the early part of 1930, and in spite of the great precautions
cases developed in both Homes and hindered the work. Nevertheless, 68 mothers
and 71 children were sent to Flamstead during the year, and 65 children to Miss
Fleetwood's Home.
"Special mention is made in the South Centre report by the Medical Officer
dealing with the older children and convalescence, of the difficulties the mothers
have with the toddlers. This states that, as regards this Centre, ' One can look
round with satisfaction on the increasing number of children who have left us to
attend school in good condition and with well-established health.
"On the other hand there are mothers who come merely to see if anything is
being given away, and upon whom the teaching at the Centre makes but little
impression. There are feckless and unintelligent ones, and there are the nervous,
anxious mothers whom we try to reassure, and whom we advise to send their
children to school as early as possible."