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17
the public elementary schools in the district, and 1 find that
during the past year a course of lectures to mothers was given
at Stanhope Hall, North Finchley. It is to be hoped that
similar classes will be held at other centres.
The question of home instruction is a much more difficult
problem to face. The distribution of memoranda on infant
management is in itself insufficient, and requires to be supplemented
from time to time by verbal instruction. An attempt
has been made in some districts to meet this by the appointment
of lady health visitors, but very special qualifications are
necessary for success in the work; besides practical knowledge,
the health visitor needs to be endowed with exceptional
tact, or she is regarded as an additional infliction, on a
par with the endless procession of canvassers and advertisement
distributors.
It is a question whether better results would not in most
instances be obtained by augmenting the staff of district
nurses with women specially qualified for the dual duties; as
district nurses they would be sent by the doctors to the patients'
homes, and by keeping in touch with the mothers would be
able to advise them to call in medical help before too late, as
is now so frequently the case.