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leaflets* were widely distributed, both by the visitors and the registrars.
Miss Horn reports that these, and the advice given, appear to be much
appreciated, and that the mothers display more intelligent interest in
the care of their own health as well as that of their children.
The method followed is to begin visiting about twelve days after the
birth has occurred (if the mother has been visited beforehand, visiting
is suspended during these twelve days). This course is advisable for
several reasons; the patient is under the supervision of a medical man or
midwife, and it is not desirable to disturb the mother with visits; when
the nurse has left and the patient is left to tend her child by herself
she is more ready to accept the advice and instruction which the visitor
may offer. Visiting is continued, if deemed necessary, throughout the
year, once a month, or more frequently in the first three months, and
afterwards quarterly. During the year, 1827 infants born in 1909 have
been visited, and together with their families have been kept under
observation; 1495 of these had been notified; the balance of the
notified births were considered "above the standard" and were not
visited; 700 of those eventually notified or registered were being visited
before the confinement took place.
In addition, visiting also took place of 823 children born in 1908.
An analysis on tbe same lines as that printed in last year's report, but
restricted to children born in 1908, who have been visited throughout
1908 and 1909 has been made. Families who have moved from the
district, or who have not been visited during the whole twelve months
following birth, have been excluded from the analysis.
Subjoined are tables relating to the northern part only of the City,
which includes the Soho area. They deal with 498 children born to
493 mothers.
Table II shows the influence of housing, poverty, the mother's work,
health, and the mode of feeding, and the rate of infant mortality and
ill-health.
Table III shows the influence of the mother's work on her health,
confinement, mode of feeding of the child, and care of home.
* The leaflets deal with (1) The care and management of infants and children;
(2) Infant management (in English, Italian, and Yiddish); (3) Management of children
over one year; (4) Hints to mothers; (5) Measles and whooping cough; (6) Summer
diarrhoea; (7) Care of the teeth; (8) Simple cookery.