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17
A preliminary meeting of the Council or Chapter of St. Katharine's
College set up under the Scheme was held on Monday last, and
I was instructed to enquire whether, having regard to the size of
your area and the density of population therein, you would not
consider it advantageous to the health both of the mothers and of
their offspring, were one or more of these ladies working under your
control and direction, to visit children above the age of ten days
and under that of one year.
Enquiries have been made and there is reason to believe, that
having regard to the heavy demand made on the ratepayers for the
various public services now required, Medical Officers of Health are
unable to secure so large a number of Health Visitors as are needed,
and that therefore they would be glad to avail themselves of the
gratuitous, so far as the Borough Councils are concerned, help of
duly qualified visitors selected and appointed under the Scheme.
I am permitted to add that Queen Alexandra learns that such
visiting tends not only to reduce infantile mortality, but also to
prevent the physical deterioration of the mothers ; and, as you are
well aware, Her Majesty has always promoted by every means the
improvement of the public health, especially the health of mothers
and children.
I enclose herewith for your information a copy of the Scheme
under which this ancient Foundation is to be administered. The
District in which the College would be established would depend
in part on the area to be served.
I should be glad to learn whether you would be prepared to
co-operate in giving effect to the provisions of the Scheme ; perhaps
you might find it desirable to confer with me on behalf of the Council
or Chapter.
I should add that I am in communication with the Medical
Officers of Health for the Borough of Stepney, Bethnal Green,
Poplar and Shoreditch.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
To the Mayor of Poplar. HENRY A. WHITE.
The Public Health and Housing Committee were of opinion it is
desirable the fullest possible co-operation should be afforded by the
Council in giving effect to the provisions of the Scheme, and that advantage
should be taken of the offer to provide additional Health Visitors, as