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35
when it may mean choosing between soap for cleansing purposes and
something to eat, it is little to be wondered at that the dirt remains.
The need for a Health Society with a "Welcome" or School for
Mothers becomes more and more apparent. The mothers frequently
ask whether there is any place where the babies can be weighed and
seen by a doctor. Some of the Kilburn and Kensal Green mothers
have taken their babies to the Paddington Health Society for this
purpose, and to hear the lectures given there.
In many cases constant supervision and advice is necessary in
order to do real good. If these babies were weighed regularly the
mothers could more readily see and realize the gradual results attained
by acting upon the advice given.
Short addresses or lectures given to a number of mothers at one
time would be of great benefit, and in some cases would do more good
than the individual advice given at the homes. These classes or
meetings create a spirit of rivalry in the mothers as to whose baby
shall be the best cared for that does not always exist without some
encouragement. A baby show might do much to foster this spirit, but
would need to be very carefully arranged.
The great hope that may be entertained for the reduction of
infantile mortality and a better standard of infant rearing must rest
largely with the mothers of the next generation. The more efficient
training of girls in domestic economy and hygiene is all-important. At
present they leave school at the age of 14 years — too young to realize
the importance of what they are being taught. Few, if any, of these
girls get any further training to fit them for the position of housewife
and mother. It is to be hoped that something may be done in the
near future to remedy these evils."