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The Medical Research Council has in hand an extensive scheme for
the study at many centres of problems of child life; the practical object
immediately in view is to secure knowledge, at present greatly lacking,
which may be a sound guide to the conservation of healthy life in the child
before and after birth. The account given in their Report of these
investigations is appropriately divided into two sections—pre-natal
and post-natal studies. Two papers have been published from which
two conclusions can be drawn: the first is that syphilis is a remarkably
frequent cause, not only of stillbirth, but also of early post-natal death;
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Maternity and Child Welfare.
The Bessborough Street Centre has fully justified its formation. It
has, of course, taken away a number of mothers and children from the
Pimlico area, but as shown by the attendances at the pre-natal and
children's clinics it is providing care for large numbers who found it
too far to attend at 1, Pimlico Road. During the first six months
one clinic a week was held at Bessborough Street, but it was found
necessary to have two per week to cope with the numbers attending
and an assistant health visitor was appointed. In addition to the
four Centres already existing, a sub-centre has been opened in North
Mayfair by the Health Society.
Expectant Mothers.—The names of 943 were sent in by hospitals,
voluntarily notified or found by visitors, and to these 3,066 visits were
paid at their homes (see Table); 201 attended the Mothercraft Classes.

22 women also attended the Clinic at Bessborough Street, after
confinement.
There were 368 attendances altogether (293 in 1920) of
expectant mothers at the two centres.
Centre.
Sessions.
First
Attendance.
Subsequent
Attendances.
Total.
No. of
Individuals.
Pimlico Road
49
48
65
113
72
Bessborough Street
51
107
148
255
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