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the Inquiry form, and by means of these filled in forms, useful
facts and statistics were gathered. (See Tables IIIa, IIIb, IVa,
IYb, and Appendix I re Mode of Feeding, Weaning, and Causes of
Weaning.)
Further, too, at the same time we were able to impress upon the mothers
the all importance of the instruction set forth on the cards of "Advice
to Mothers."
These visits were made by myself throughout the whole year, and by Miss
Bibbv during the early part of the year, and during the last quarter
by the Voluntary Visitors, who thus gave us valuable assistance in
the Infant Inquiry work. Had it not been for their help, many of
the poorest babies of St. Pancras would of necessity have been left
unvisited, and so we have to thank especially Miss Neville and Miss
Stewart for undertaking to help us with some of this work.
A meeting of the Voluntary Visitors was held once a fortnight at the
Town Hall, when any cases, especially difficult to deal with, were
discussed and referred to me; and at the meetings I gave a course of
instruction as to the various points to be dealt with, particularly in
this visiting of mothers and infants.
It was encouraging to find that with very few exceptions, the mothers
received the Women Sanitary Inspectors and Voluntary Visitors most
cordially, often asking them to call again ; and the numerous letters
and calls that I received at the Town Hall from mothers, asking for
further suggestions and advice, also testified to the fact that they did
not resent our visits.
One good result of our visits was, that any sanitary defects about a house
where a birth had occurred (which defects might otherwise have
escaped notice), were either evident to us when we entered the home,
or else would be especially pointed out to us by the mother, who,
noticing from our visiting cards, that we were Sanitary Inspectors,
was anxious to get the evil remedied. Information was also obtained
with regard to any work-place attended by the mother, and also as
to the food supply.
Similarly too, the far too frequent cases of pulmonary phthisis amongst
the mothers (and fathers) of St. Pancras, were incidentally met with
during our visits ; and an opportunity was thus afforded us of giving
to the patient (probably up till then, unattended by a Doctor) an
" introduction card " to a Doctor or Hospital, as well as the leaflet of
the "National Association for the Prevention of Consumption,"
setting forth the means to be taken to prevent the spread of this
disease.
In several instances, I referred mothers, who were evidently consumptive,
and yet suckling their babies, to a Doctor or Hospital, in order that
the}" might be medically advised.