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14
PREVENTION OF INFANTILE MORTALITY.
As already noted the infantile mortality rate which had been 98'6 per 1,000
births in 1914 fell to 96T in 1915. In previous reports when, as frequently
happened, it was necessary to record improvements in this connection, it was stated
that, apart from the efforts put forth by the Council, those of the St. Marylebone
Health Society were largely responsible.
As regards 1915, the same statement may be made, but it should be added that
that year saw considerable advances made by both parties.
The women inspectors of the Council and the workers of the Society have
combined and extended their work of visiting homes and advising mothers with
regard to the feeding and care of infants and on hygiene generally.
At the infant consultations everything possible has been done to induce mothers
to bring their babies and to take advantage of the medical advice provided and of
the classes of instruction conducted there.
At the end of the year there were four infant consultations in operation, viz., at
Church Street and Henry Street in the portion of the Borough north of Marylebone
Road, and at Welbeck Street Dispensary and Ogle Mews in the southern portion of
the Borough. At each of these there were one or more clinics every week, each
presided over by a doctor, assisted by a number of voluntary workers. At these
clinics assistance was rendered also by one or other of the Council's women
inspectors.
At the Church Street consultation, which is the largest of all, there is a paid
worker who gives all her time to the work there. Up till October the salary of this
officer was paid by the Health Society but later, the Local Government Board
having approved, the Council made themselves responsible for the payment of the
amount, and while placing her on the staff of the Public Health Department, detached
her for work at Church Street.
In connection with each of the consultations there operates what is known as a
School of Mothercraft. At each of these, instruction with regard to cooking, sewing
and other domestic matters is given. The classes, which are conducted by
experienced teachers, are becoming more and more popular.
One very important piece of work done during the year was the establishment,
in connection with the Church Street and Welbeck Street consultations, of clinics
for expectant mothers (ante-natal clinics). That at Church Street is held by
Dr. Christine Murrell, who has been in charge of the infant consultation for a
number of years; and that at Welbeck Street by Dr. May Thome. At both of these,
exceedingly valuable work was done, and it is gratifying to be able to state that even
though they have only been running a few months, they show every sign of being
highly successful.