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D (aged 33 years).-—This patient, a single man living in furnished lodgings, had for a considerable period
neglected to forward his stamped insurance cards to the Approved Scciety. When taken ill he took the cards
to a local agent, who told him that his membership had lapsed, and that he was not eligible for sickness benefit.
The Tuberculosis Care Committee communicated the facts to the Chief Office of the Approved Society. On
production of the cards, the man's claim was admitted, and he was immediately granted full benefit of 17/- a
week. This money was badly needed, as the patient had been obliged to leave work some weeks previously,
and had exhausted his savings. A loan of £2 was granted by the Charity Organisation Society to enable him
to purchase clothing before entering sanatorium.
E (aged 27 years).—On account of having to wear a spinal jacket, this patient, after discharge from institutional
treatment, was unable to resume his former occupation as chauffeur. The Tuberculosis Care Committee
communicated with the Ministry of Pensions suggesting that he should be trained as a clerk. The Divisional
Director of Industrial Training eventually agreed to make the necessary arrangements. On completion of the
course of training, the co-operation of the Employment Exchange was sought, and a suitable situation found
for the man.
F (aged 41 years).—This man and his family were specially recommended for accommodation on one of
the Estates of the London County Council. A house became available just after his discharge from sanatorium,
but he was unable to pay the cost of removal. The Tuberculosis Care Committee applied to the Red Cross
Emergency Fund, and the desired assistance was granted.
G (aged 34 years).—This patient, a single woman living with her sister-in-law, was without the means to
provide herself with clothing for sanatorium. Application was made to the Charity Organisation Society,
who made a grant of clothing and money to meet the difficulty.
H (aged 68 years).—A widow. No income of her own, but an adopted daughter and an aunt paid the rent
of the room she occupied. Application was made to the Charity Organisation Society, and temporary assistance
given. The Society afterwards obtained a pension of 10/- a week for the patient, which will continue until
she becomes eligible for the Old Age Pension.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
Health Visitors.
These officers, two in number, work under the control of the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee
of the Council. Their duties are :—
(1) To visit the homes of all newly-born children where considered necessary.
(2) To make enquiries concerning stillbirths and deaths of infants and young children.
(3) To visit and give advice to parents in cases of ophthalmia of the new-born, infective enteritis
and other important diseases.
(4) To investigate all cases of puerperal fever.
(5) To investigate applications for the supply of milk to necessitous families.
The Health Visitors do not attend any consultations at the Paddington School for Mothers, but
attend alternately once a fortnight at the Infant Consultation Centre at Queen Charlotte's Maternity
Hospital.
The work performed by the Health Visitors is summarised in the appended tables, which also
show how many infants were breast-fed and other interesting information.
HEALTH VISITING.