View report page

38
Infants' Milk Depot.
This depot has now been in existence for two years, having
been opened under the auspices of the Infant Care Association
in February, 1913. Since March, 1914, the milk has been
given in dried form. This change has the following advantages,
it does not turn sour, is practically free from germs, is
not liable to contamination by flies, etc., and the exact quantity
required for each feed can be made as required.
This food, "Lac.tos" is manufactured under the supervision
and instruction of the Public Health Department, and is
an exact imitation of human milk in dried form. It is sold at
just over cost price. It is a great boon to the poorer mothers
who could not afford similar foods, and who would otherwise
feed their babies on condensed milk containing a low percentage
of fat. A feeding depot is also a useful auxiliary to any infant
care scheme as the child is under more constant supervision.
With very few exceptions such infants are weighed at regular
intervals. At the half.year the number of infants being fed on
" Lactos " was 35 at the end of the year this number had increased
to 51. The total number of infants who have received
the food during the year is 135, with 10 deaths, a rate of 7.4
per cent. The following are particulars of some cases fed at
the Milk Depot during the year: —
Number 26. (Illegitimate). Breast fed for three
weeks then artificially feed; brought to Clinic when two
months old, weighed only 6 lbs.; after having Lactos for
three months gained 4 lb., and at one year was a fine child
normal weight.
Number 122. Brought to Clinic when four months
old, condition poor, fed on the breast and a patent food,
food changed to Lactos; mother lost breast milk at five