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(a)—Sterilized Maternity Outfits for patients for whom
either the doctor or the midwife considers that this provision is
desirable. _At one time the Council did provide sterilized matemitv
outfits, but for some reason or other, the demand for these went out
of existence. When we did provide them, many difficulties arose
in the return of these outfits. In man)- instances the articles were
pawned. The Committee decided to ask for a deposit to cover
the cost of the outfit. Possibly the inability to meet this outlay
had something to do with the lack of demand. At any rate we
found that there was no demand.
(b)—Home helps—The Council also tried to meet the necessity
of domestic assistance during the lying-in period. We were fortunate
in securing the services of excellent helps, but the demand
for these also ceased. It is unnecessary to enter into the cause of
this non-demand; it was full)' reported on when the provision was
abandoned. The circumstances have not changed, and I do not
think the provision of home help would prove successful.
(c)—Supply of Milk for Expectant and Nursing
Mothers—
The Council does supply milk to expectant mothers, but
I consider that this provision should be extended. At the present
time in view of the wide spread depression, considerable attention
is paid to the nutrition of the expectant mother, and the effect of
malnutrition upon the mother and the baby. The researches of
the Mellanbys have shown the probable effects of diet upon infection,
and especially upon the incidence of Puerperal Pyrexia
and Puerperal Fever, and even if all these premises are not proved
there can be no doubt of the deleterious effects of malnutrition upon
the expectant mother and baby.
(rf)—Laboratory facilities for the examination of pathological
material submitted by doctors.
Any reasonable material sent by the doctors are now examined
either by the Lister Institute or at some other similar institution.
These aspects of the work were considered by the Child W elfare
Committee early in the new year, and certain proposals were
made to the Ministry of Health, and the amended scheme will,
I hope come into operation in 1935.