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15
those who died from respiratory affections met their death because they were not
sufficiently protected and cared for. The difficulty is to convince mothers that
carelessness, ignorance and fecklessness on their part are the causes. It can only
be done by getting into direct contact with the women soon after the children
are born, in the hope of being able to instruct and help them.
During 1910, a vast amount of work of this kind was done by the Council
through the women inspectors, Miss Baker, Miss Johnson, and Miss Wienholt
and her successor, Miss Stokes.
The fact that there is a fall in the number of deaths seems to show that the
efforts put forth in the past are beginning to produce results and that these
efforts should be maintained.
The great assistance received by the department in carrying out this work,
from the Health Visitors of the St. Marylebone Health Society, must again be
gratefully acknowledged. There is very close co-operation between these
voluntary visitors and the Medical Officer of Health and the women inspectors,
and, as a result, a great deal more work is done and much better results obtained
than would otherwise be the case. The chief result of the work of the Society is
undoubtedly the getting into close touch with the mothers and with the babies,
and this is brought about by holding infant consultations presided over by
members of the medical profession specialising in diseases of children and by
carrying on clubs for the mothers. The functions of the consultations were
described in the Annual Report for 1909, and during 1910, Drs. Murrell and
Murray, who preside over that in Bell Street, and Dr. Eric Pritchard, who
conducts that at the Welbeck Dispensary, continued their valuable work.
The number of infants seen at the former was 230 and at the latter 170,
the total number of attendances being 1,330 at Bell Street and at Welbeck
Street 946. The work carried out at the clubs is partly social and partly
provident.
At the social meetings of the mothers tea is served, and simple talks and
lectures on domestic subjects and hygiene generally are given. The Provident
clubs are largely for the purpose of encouraging expectant mothers to make
preparations for the birth of the babies. Both clubs perform most useful
functions, and have been highly successful.
The total number of babies visited by the women inspectors was 2,065.
The number visited by the voluntary workers of the Society was 934. The
information elicited as a result of these visits is tabulated on page 16 (Table V.).