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The most recent move is the amalgamation of Consultations and Schools for
Mothers, keeping in view further extension so as to embrace Day Nurseries
and Nursery Schools. The object is to formulate the teaching and practice of
mothcrcraft from expectancy to school age, so as to prevent not only infant
mortality, but also the defects of school children.
The amalgamation of the two societies of "Infant Consultations" and "Schools
for Mothers" into one Association under the auspices and as a Department of
the National League of Physical Education was approved and agreed to in
May, 1911, upon the following basis: —
(1) That curative medical treatment, as apart from advice on the
ordinary care, feeding, &c , 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
already 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.
These should be regarded as the golden rules for guidance in the organisation
and administration of Schools for Mothers.
REPORT OF THE WOMAN 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 1911.
The work has been carried out on the same lines as in previous years. 1 have
been ably assisted from time to time in both the clerical and visiting work by
fully qualified women voluntary visitors.
Several hours each morning are spent in clerical work. Advice cards are sent
daily on receipt of each Notification, which is then copied on to its District
Sheet. The lists of Notifications are compared weekly with the Registrars'
Returns, and those parents who have failed to notify are sent Cautionary
Letters reminding them of their duty under the Notification of Births Act.
Complete indices are also kept of all registered Births and Deaths of infants
under one year.
I have endeavoured where possible to come into touch with all the philanthropic
and charitable agencies at work in St. Pancras. These have been most
helpful in dealing with difficult and necessitous cases.