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30
REPORT OF THE WOMEN INSPECTOR AND HEALTH VISITOR
To the Medical Officer of Health.
Sir,
I submit a report of the work done for the Prevention of Infant Mortality
in the Borough of St. Pancras during the year 1910.
The work has been carried out on the same lines as in previous years. The
year has been necessarily a somewhat broken one, as my predecessor left on
March 9th, and I did not enter upon my duties until the 1st of August. I
have spent these five months in making myself acquainted with all the poorer
districts in the Borough, in order that visits may be paid and advice given
where they are most needed, and in familiarising myself with the details of
the St. Pancras scheme for the reduction of Infant Mortality.
I have also endeavoured to come into touch, where possible, with the various
charitable and philanthropic bodies whose help and co-operation are so
necessary for the effective carrying out of the work. In every case I have
found the various organisations most anxious to co-operate with the Public
Health Department in helping necessitous and deserving cases. I have also
worked in close co operation with the St. Pancras School for Mothers, not only
referring cases to the Lady Superintendent, but where possible myself meeting
the mothers there whom I had already visited, in order that they might realise
the personal individual interest taken by us in their welfare. It is much to be
wished that a similar school could be established in North St. Pancras as a
centre of educational influence in that part of the Borough.
The clerical work in connection with the Notification of Births Act has been
done on the same lines as in previous years. Advice Cards are sent daily on
receipt of each notification. Complete indices are kept of all registered births
and deaths of infants under one year. A comparison of the births notified
and registered is made each week, and cautionary letters sent to all parents
who have failed to notify according to the provisions of the Act.
I have had able assistance from time to time from fully qualified Women
Voluntary Visitors, both with regard to the visiting and clerical work of the
department.
My report of work must necessarily be somewhat limited, owing to the short
period I have worked in St. Pancras; but the table drawn up of the feeding
of infants refers to the entire year, so is largely a record of information
obtained by Voluntary Visitors before I began my duties in the Borough.
The Midwives Act has been effective in ensuring skilled attendance for the
mothers at their confinement, but the need for the education of the persons
who act as nurses and attendants on the mother and baby requires to be
emphasized. The London County Council has provided instruction for
them in special classes during the winter months. I have endeavoured to come
into contact with these women and urged them to refer cases to me which they
consider suitable for subsequent special visiting.