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45
compared with 76 in 1928. Overcrowding and sanitary defects were found in 14
homes compared with 15 in 1928. In 83 cases no action could be taken under the
provisions of this Act owing to the removal of the nurse infant prior to the visit of
the inspector. Special inquiries were also made in 370 cases with regard to the condition
of the premises, and the necessary action was taken in the matter. In the event
of a serious sanitary defect being reported the attention of the local borough council
is drawn thereto, and in some cases it has been found possible by rearrangement of
the accommodation to secure improvement. In others it has not been possible, and
the foster-parent has been urged to return the child in her charge to the parent
or to obtain other and more suitable accommodation. Difficulty is accentuated by
the lack of suitable house accommodation.
Foster-mothers are advised to attend local infant welfare centres with the
children in their charge. In the event of a nurse infant being weak or ailing the
visitor carefully watches the case and sees that the treatment advised is duly carried
out. If doubt exists in the visitor's mind with regard to the progress of the nurse
infant one of the Council's medical officers attends and examines the child. During
the year, 27 nurse infants died compared with 33 in 1928. In 8 cases inquests were
held compared with 7 in the previous year; a verdict of death from natural causes
was recorded in 6 cases compared with 4 in the previous year, and in 2 cases accidental
death (the same number as in 1928). In none of the cases was blame attached
to the foster-mother.
The Adoption of Children Act, 1926, provides for the legal adoption of infants.
A Court upon the hearing of an application for an adoption order may appoint some
public body to act as guardian ad litem, with the duty of safeguarding the interests
of the infant before the Court, and, where the body so appointed is the local authority,
may authorise the authority to incur any necessary expenditure.
The Council at the request of the Home Secretary has agreed to act as guardian
ad litem of children who are the subject of applications for adoption orders in London.
The Council's medical officer deals with those children who have been or are nurseinfants
under supervision of the Public Health Department. During the year 1929
the total number of applications dealt with by this department was 49. The result
of the hearings was as follows:—43 full adoption orders and 2 interim adoption
orders made ; 2 applications refused, and 2 withdrawn.
It is understood that the work of the Council's officers has been of assistance
both to the Courts and to the petitioners. Although the Court may authorise the
public body, acting as guardian ad litem, to incur any necessary expenditure, the
Council has decided not to make application to Court for payment, as the expenses
are trivial
Adoption of
Children Act,
1926
Mental Deficiency Acts, 1913-27.
On 31st December, 1929, there were being dealt with by the Council 5,560 cases.
Of these, 3,191 were in institutions; 74 under guardianship; 2,276 under supervision;
and 19 in places of safety awaiting action. During the year the mental
Hospitals Department was notified of 772 cases, the sources being indicated in the
following statement:—
Cases dealt
with by the
Council,

Other cases came to the notice of the Public Health Department, but some of
these proved to be not defective, and others not subject to be dealt with by the
Council for various reasons.
17710
D