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were first published proved somewhat discouraging. They need not have been.
It was not because there was too little effort, or because the effort was in the wrong
direction, that a higher proportion of the babies died than in any of the years since
1906. There were circumstances and conditions that even the strong organization
in existence in St. Marylebone, and the great work that is done in the Borough,
could not master. The organization is strong, and will be stronger and more
perfect; the work done is great in amount, and will be greater.
The organization contains voluntary and official elements. Of the voluntary
elements, those for which the St. Marylebone Health Society is responsible, bulklargest,
and the Council are greatly indebted to this body and those who work for it,
for what they have done and what they are doing. Apart from the Health Society,
however, there were other bodies that rendered assistance, viz.: The Women's
League of Social Service, Queen Charlotte's Hospital, and Middlesex Hospital.
The chief parts of the scheme are shown in the following summary, which indicates
that at the end of the year there were available in the Borough no fewer than
seven centres where attention was given to infant and child welfare, and if those at
the hospitals are included, four ante-natal clinics. In addition, there was a dining
centre for nursing and expectant mothers, a dental clinic for mothers and young
children, and a day nursery ; the two latter opened during the year.
The following is the summary referred to. It is based upon a return made to
the Local Government Board and gives much statistical information with regard to
work done in 1917.
"Health Visitors.—One whole-time Health Visitor who works only in
connection with the Church Street Centre of the Health Society, and three parttime
Health Visitors who are also Sanitary Inspectors. The voluntary workers of
the St. Marylebone Health Society and of the League of Social Service also do
visiting in co-operation with the work of the Council. The borough is divided into
three districts, and in 1917 the Municipal Health Visitors made 3,781 visits to
1,597 infants, and the voluntary visitors attached to the St. Marylebone School
for Mothers made 5,555 visits to 712 infants. Children are visited up to school age.
Centres—Voluntary.—The St. Marylebone Health Society have five centres:
(1) North Marylebone School of Mothercra/t, Church Street, has an ante- and postnatal
consultation under medical supervision. The Municipal Health Visitors
co-operate. The ante-natal work is linked up with the Queen Charlotte's Lying-in
Hospital. (2) South Marylebone School of Mothercraft, St. Marylebone General
Dispensary, 77, Welbeck Street, W. An ante-natal clinic which is linked up with
the Middlesex Hospital, is held once weekly, and an infant consultation is held twice
weekly, both under medical supervision. There is a superintendent and a part-time
assistant, both of whom are nurses. Children attend up to school age, and the
Municipal Health Visitors co-operate. 226 Children attended in 1917 and there
were altogether 1,415 attendances. The Municipal Health Visitor attends. No
treatment is given. (3) Ogle Mews, Ogle Street, W. 163 children attended in
1917, and there were altogether 1,163 attendances at the infant consultations.
Classes for cookery needlework and hygiene are held weekly : (4) Henry Street.
Infant consultation held weekly, attended by the Municipal Health Visitor.
106 children attended in 1917, and there were altogether 1,511 attendances;
and (5) 101, Crawford, Street.— Infant consultation held weekly, attended by
Municipal Health Visitor. This Centre was only opened early in 1917, and up to
the end of the year, 64 children had attended and made 517 attendances.
In addition to these Centres, consultations are held weekly at Queen Charlotte s
Hospital and the Branch of the Womens' League of Social Service, 35, Lisson