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281
For the following particulars I am indebted to Mrs. Philpot:
Babies' Help Committee.
Thirty-eight cases were considered by this Committee in 1926.
In one case investigation proved that help was unnecessary and
live cases were thought unsuitable for help by this Committee, as
the baby arid mother were already separated. Four cases were
referred to other Committees for help. The others were helped by
gifts of baby clothes and grants to enable mothers and babies to
remain together. All grants are paid at the Welfare Centres so
that our babies are under the supervision of the doctors and health
visitors. All the babies have made good progress, although
several were weakly when born. Seven of our mothers are
boarded-out with motherly landladies. All others are in their
own homes and we find that our grants and our friendly interest
rouse the members of the family to co-operate in caring for the
little newcomer who soon wins an established position in the family
circle. The amounts given vary according to circumstances, one
case only requiring help with a perambulator and another only
clothes and friendly advice. In two cases affiliation orders are
collected and paid over to the mothers. Two mothers married in
the year. The Committee is grateful for several gifts of babies
clothes which are always appreciated.
(k) Dental Treatment—Expectant and Nursing Mothers
and Young Children.
The scheme of dental treatment, through the school dental
surgeons and school dental clinics, has markedly expanded during
the year. 11 sessions were devoted to inspections and talks at
Welfare Centres, and 105 to treatments. In regard to treatments
there was in particular a great increase in the number of expectant
mothers treated and of the dentures supplied. The mothers paid
the ordinary charges made at the school clinic, and paid in nearly every
case the full cost of the dentures.