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34
INFANT CONSULTATIONS AND SCHOOLS FOR MOTHERS.
At un informal meeting, held on May 5th, 1911, at the National League
for Physical Education and Improvement, 4, Tavistock Square, W.C.,
representatives of Infant Consultations and of Schools for Mothers suggested,
with a view to harmonising the work of the two classcs of institutions, that it
would be well to place on record the points of agreement which existed.
The following were unanimously approved:—
(1) That curative medical treatment, as apart from advice on the ordinary
care, feeding, etc., of mothers and infants, does not come within the
scope either of the Consultations or of the Schools.
(2) That Infant Consultations should form the basis of every School for
Mothers, and should be aimed at as the basis of all Infant Visiting
and similar Associations.
(3) That all Consultations should be conducted by properly qualified
medical practitioners.
(4) That no cases should be brought to the Consultations if they are
being attended by their own medical attendant, except by desire
of the latter.
(5) That the indiscriminate distribution of printed matter giving instructions
for artificial feeding is not to be recommended, and that this
form of advice should be given in each individual case by the
Medical Officer at the Consultation.
(6) That all cases should be investigated, to ascertain their suitability,
from the social and economic point of view, before admission to the
services of either institution.
It was suggested and unanimously approved, that it was desirable that the
Societies of Infant Consultations and of Schools for Mothers, now in course of
formation, should amalgamate to form one strong Central Association. This
Association to consist, at first, of two sections, worked by a Committee,
with representatives for the medical and for the lay aspects of the work
respectively. The Association to have power to add to the numbers of its
sections as its work developed. Every affiiliated Society to be invited to
appoint at least two representatives, one of whom to be a medical practitioner;
the Association's subscription to cover representation on both
sections.
The National League for Physical Education has published a long list of
existing "Schools for Mothers and similar Institutions."
BIRTHS IN THE WORKHOUSE AND INFIRMARY.
In a circular of the Local Government Board, dated 16th June, 1910,
addressed to Boards of Guardians and headed "Children under the Poor
Law " on page 4, the second paragraph runs thus:—
"The Board's attention has been drawn to the fact that infants frequently
deteriorate in health after leaving the workhouse, and they would