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106
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
"We found in the case of infants that were being fed by hand
that 664 mothers were using the boat shaped bottles. Both boat
and tube bottles were in use in 30 instances, and in 59 cases the
infant was fed by a spoon.
"On our second visit 32 tube bottles had beer discarded and
boat bottles were then being used.
"In our talks with the mothers, we have specially pointed
out to them the dangers arising from the use of "comforters"
or "dummies." We were glad to find that a great many mothers
were aware of these dangers and were not giving the dummy to
the child, but in many instances it is looked on as the universal
pacifier, or as the medium by which the baby takes its medicine.
We have often found a child of two or three years still sucking at a
dummy and refusing to give up the use of it.
"1,075 mothers were wise enough not to begin the use of
the 'comforter,' but 2,443 were giving it, though more than
half of this number assured us 'it was only occasionally given.'
In 253 instances the mothers had discontinued its use altogether
on our second visit.
"With regard to the employment of midwives, out of 3,518
mothers visited 1,215 availed themselves of their services. Of
these 1,170 employed midwives registered under the London
County Council and 45 had non-registered midwives. Any cases
of infringement of the Midwives Act discovered by us we have
at once reported to you.
The sanitary defects found in the course of our work were
remedied, or if requiring structural work, referred to you.
"138 intimation notices were served, and five statutory
notices were required."