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21
I am a strong believer in the doctrine that woman's highest
work in the world, and the one for which she was primarily created is
to give birth to and rear a healthy family ; but in this family business
as in any other which one wishes to make a success, it is necessary
to undergo a training, and it is with this object that the Notification
of Births Act has been made a law of the Realm.
When this Act has been adopted in an area the first step is to
appoint a "Health Visitor", a lady with a Sanitary and a "Health
Visitor's" Certificate, and preferably one who has some knowledge
of nursing and midwifery.
The services of such a woman can be obtained at a salary of .
£80 to £100 per annum, with a prospect of an increase in due time.
The duties of the Lady Sanitary Inspector and Health Visitor
would be as follows:—
1. To make all enquiries under the direction of the Medical
Officer of Health with reference to the births and deaths in general
and infant mortality in particular. To keep the register of the
Notification of Births Act in order and up-to-date. To visit and
instruct Mothers (who need it) in the care and feeding of infants.
2. Infectious Diseases. Chiefly non-notifiable, and women
and children with Erysipelas, also cases of Puerperal Fever. To
visit and enter up particulars on the proper cards.
3. Schools. To visit Scholars reported by teachers as absent
from school on account of Infectious Disease, or contact therewith.
4. Factories & Workshops. To inspect places where females
are employed eitherin Factoriesand Workshops,or as Homeworkers.
5. To accompany female patients or children to Hospital when
necessary.
6. To hold her services generally during office hours at the
disposal of the Medical Officer of Health and Sanitary Inspector.
I entertain no doubt that if this Act is adopted by the Council,
Infant Mortality in the District would be lowered, and what is of
almost equal importance the standard of the survivors would be
raised.
I would therefore ask the Council to give the matter their very
serious consideration, bearing in mind the tremendous loss of life
occuring amongst our best and finest men at the present time, and
the consequent need of taking the greatest possible care of the lives
of the rising generation, so that the Empire may not suffer in the
future.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
In accordance with your instructions, I beg to put forward the
following scheme for Maternity and Child Welfare as defined by the
Memo, of the Local Government Board of July 30th, 1914.