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16
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
In July last the Local Government Board issued the following
Circular and Memorandum to County Councils and Sanitary
Authorities.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD,
Whitehall, S.W.
30th July, 1914.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
Sir,
I am directed by the Local Government Board to
state that an estimate has been laid before Parliament for a grant
to be distributed by the Board in aid of the Expenditure of local
authorities and voluntary agencies in respect of institutions or other
provision for maternity and child welfare.
This grant, if voted by Parliament, will be made in aid of
expenditure in respect of clinics, dispensaries or other institutions
primarily concerned with the provision of medical and surgical advice
and treatment, as well as in respect of the salaries of health visitors
and other officers engaged for this work.
The Local Government Board have in recent years devoted
considerable attention to questions connected with infant welfare
and they have observed with much satisfaction that efforts have
been made by many local authorities and voluntary agencies, to
deal with the matter. These efforts have undoubtedly helped to
secure improved conditions for children and have played an important
part in the campaign for the reduction of infantile mortality.
It is evident from the reports issued by the Medical Department
of the Board and those of many Medical Officers of Health
that more extended and systematic measures than have hitherto been
generally adopted are necessary, and it is hoped that the grant of
assistance from the Exchequer will stimulate those local authorities
who have not yet taken action to give the matter their earnest
consideration and will encourage those already engaged in the work to
develop it still further.
Up to the present local authorities, in their infant welfare work,
have concerned themselves more especially with the child in its
first year of life; the matter is, however, one which needs to be
dealt with on a more comprehensive basis and it is clearly desirable