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142
digestion sometimes more advanced, versatile and robust than they
are credited with being? How much of the solution of unsatisfactory
weight curves lie in the answer to this question? Lastly, is prolonged
milk feeding essential to satisfactory growth, or may it be merely the
best we can do in the absence of precise knowledge?
The baby whose weight chart has been quoted was given, during the
time it was under observation, what may conveniently, if unscientifically
be described as "grown-up food." At first the diet included 200zs. of
milk, then 150ZS., and later 120ZS. daily. Meat, fish, eggs, vegetables,
fruit, bread, butter, cheese and simple puddings were all allowed. Cod
liver oil up to 3 teaspoonsful daily was taken without difficulty. The
anaemia responded readily to the administration of iron, and the
haemoglobin rose from 64 per cent. to 92 per cent. in twelve week.
The value of the food was calculated to be between 1,000 and l,200
calories daily, and its cost about 3s. 8d. a week. No special cookery
was employed, and the mother was shown its general character on many
occasions, and observed the. child contentedly at its meals. But on its
return home the old complaints of refusal, retching and dyspepsia
recurred, and the weight came to an immediate standstill. Advice from
other sources was sought and the child was admitted into another institution
for a "thorough investigation of its dietetic needs." To add to
the confusion, the parents were led to understand that the infant illhealth
was attributable to the gravely unsuitable nature of the previous
feeding. No further data are available.
H. K. 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.