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116
is very marked, and it is very sad to find numbers of children ranging
from 18 months upwards with badly decayed and septic teeth in their
mouths. Unfortunately these cases are rarely treatable except by extraction.
One often wonders what condition these mouths will present
later in life on account of numerous extractions in infancy. The remedy
for this state of affairs, I am convinced, lies in the treatment and
education of the mother, not only as far as her teeth and those of her
children are concerned, but in diet and general condition.
I have noticed a number of patients insist on having extractions
under gas, even when one or two simple extractions, which could be
done quite painlessly at the time with a local anaesthetic, are indicated.
In these cases the administration of gas is a luxury and tends to hold
up other cases where gas is a necessity. The establishment of a small
fee, say 3d. or 6d. for each gas administration would tend to overcome
this source of waste time, and expense, and I would commend this proposal
to your notice. I believe such a course has been adopted in other
clinics with success.
I realise how very fortunate I have been in the help and co-operation
I have received of everyone interested in the Clinic, since its commencement,
and I am sure that, with such support, we can anticipate
continued and even greater success in the future.
C. HAMMOND WILLIAMS, L.D.S., R.C.S., Eng.
FREE MILK SCHEME.
During the 12 months ended 26th December, 1925, 12,475 applica
tions for free milk were received), of which 11,358 were granted. Orders
for 410,587 pints of fresh, and 3,7271b. of dried milk were issued, the
total commitments amounting to approximately £4,994.
Personal inquiry was made in 1,633 cases by the the Inquiry and
Investigation Officer. Nine cases were reported to the Maternity and
Child Welfare Committee as unsatisfactory. In 6 cases applicants, or
a member of their family, had commenced work and were then in receipt
of an income which rendered them overscale, without notifying the
change of income; 1 case Poor-Law relief was understated; 1 case unemployment
benefit of a member of the family not stated and 1 case
notification not given that child had been sent away. In each case the
Committee sent a letter of caution.