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149
if overclothing is started in the autumn; and, fuither, having once tasted
the comfort of outdoor existence, demands indomitably that it shall not
be imprisoned, however severe the winter weather may be.
HAROLD WALLER.
FREE MILK SCHEME.
Milk is supplied to expectant and nursing mothers, and children
under 3 years of age (in special circumstances 5 years) under the Ministry
of Health Circular 185.
As reported in the Annual Report for 1927, dried milk is supplied
under the scheme with the exception that Grade 'A' (Tuberculin Tested)
milk is supplied in special cases (infants) where the Medical Officers in
charge of the Council's Child Welfare Clinics consider its use specially
desirable.
In April a letter was received from the Ministry of Health stating
that the estimate for provision of milk and milk administration had been
reduced by £3,233. This left a total sum of £2,800 for this service.
The letter further stated that ' 'the Council should reconsider the procedure
adopted in dealing with applications for milk with a view to securing
strict observance of the following conditions:—(1) Milk should be supplied
by the Council at less than cost price solely on medical grounds, and should
not be supplied to applicants who are already in receipt of Poor Law
Relief. Applicants whose circumstances are such that they can only be
dealt with adequately through the machinery of the Poor Law should be
referred to the Guardians. (2) Every applicant for milk should be seen
in the first instance by the Medical Officer of Health or the Medical Officer
of a Centre, and no application for milk should be considered by the Council,
or the appropriate Committee of the Council, unless the Medical Officer
furnishes a certificate that a supply is essential on grounds of health.
Such certificate should be given only in those cases in which the Medical
Officer is satisfied that the health of the mother or child will suffer unless a
supply of milk is provided by the Council. (3) The scale of income
adopted by the Council for the supply of milk at less than cost price should
be revised in order to bring it into accord with the fall in the index figure
of the cost of living since the scale was framed. (4) The Council should
satisfy themselves that they are obtaining their supplies of milk, whether
liquid or dried, at prices which bear adequate relation to the quantities
of milk distributed by them.''