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In addition to these visits the Women Inspectors visited also a number of the
addresses at which deaths of infants had occurred, gave such help as seemed to be
required, and made arrangements for the giving of attention to defects in sanitation,
if any such were detected.
With regard to the work of the Health Society, it may be noted that in
recognition of the assistance given to the Council a grant was paid during the year
by the Board of Education towards the cost of carrying on some of their activities.
In the future it seems probable that further grants will be made by the
Treasury for this and other work.
MATERNITY AND INFANT WELFARE.
In the Report for 1913 attention was directed to the necessity of doing
something more for the woman who was in expectation of becoming a mother, and
it was suggested that if she could be advised and educated as to the care which she
should take of her own health and the advantages to the unborn child likely to
follow the taking of greater care, many of the deaths now put down to prematurity
might be prevented.
The idea of carrying out work on these lines was most eagerly accepted by the
Health Society and arrangements were made for taking it up.
During 1914 considerable advances were made and towards the end of the
year there were other indications that a special department, to be known as
an "Ante-Natal Clinic," would be established in connection with the infant
consultations in North and South Marylebone.
About the same time the Local Government Board issued a memorandum with
regard to maternity and child welfare, and suggested the lines upon which a scheme
might be constructed.
This involved the establishment of ante-natal clinics, infant consultations and the
provision of hospital accommodation for women during their confinement.
In St. Marylebone it was seen that there was already in existence everything
necessary for the construction of a complete scheme as suggested by the Board.
There were infant consultations and there were or would soon be ante-natal
clinics. So far as beds were concerned, there were Queen Charlotte's Hospital and
the Maternity Department of the Middlesex Hospital.
By linking these one with the other, it was felt that the fullest possible provision
could be made both for the mother and the child. The managing bodies of the
hospitals and other institutions showed themselves most willing to participate in the
scheme, and at the end of the year there seemed every likelihood that in the ensuing
year the complete scheme would be in existence.
National Health Week: On account of the outbreak of war, it was
determined that Health Week should go uncelebrated. A date had been fixed in
November for the celebration, and prior to August some preparations were made,