View report page

10
to feed and manage their babies. Later the Society became known as the
Bromley and District Health Society, and by 1910 were holding weekly
sessions at three centres, one in the town, one at Bromley Common, and
one at Plaistow. Babies were weighed and Mothers instructed on infant
feeding. Expectant Mothers were advised on their own health, and. where
necessary, proper clothing and miik were provided on recommendation.
Convalescence at the seaside was also arranged for special cases, and
there is record of women placed on hire to keep the home clean during
illness of the Mother.'
The founders of this Health Society were Mrs. Harrison, Mrs.
Yolland and Mrs. Haslegrave. Miss Vera Vincent (present co-opted member
of the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee) began work with this
voluntary society in 1912, and is, I believe, the only active member still
remaining in the work.
A voluntary Health Visitor was appointed by the Society in 1910.
and by 1911 there were 165 Mothers on the books, making an annual
attendance of 1,179 The voluntary Health Visitor made 238 visits to the
homes of special cases. This society worked with the Medical Officer of
Health at the time (Dr. Codd), and with the Bromley Charity Society,
the Queens Nurses, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Children. It was in 1911 that the Medical Officer of Health advised the
Local Authority to pay the salary of the Health Visitor in order that
application for the adoption of the Notification of Births Act, 1907, could
be proceeded with. A Mrs. Kelf, who had acted as voluntary Health
Visitor, was appointed whole-time Health Visitor in 1912, but it would
appear that it was not until January, 1914. that the Local Authority
adopted the Notification of Births Act, 1907. Apparently about this time
Mrs. Kelf was replaced by a Miss Evans, who commenced duties in
February, 1914. Her duties were laid down as follows:—
(1) To visit mothers after confinement.
(2) To note the feeding and clothing of the younger children,
and to advise on medical assistance where necessary.
(3) To visit tuberculosis cases, measles, whooping cough.
(4) To visit workshops where females were employed.
(5) To act as inspector under the Shops Acts.
(6) Any other duty as might be required by the Medical Officer
of Health.
In 1914 Schools for Mothers and Babies' were held at St. Mary's
Hall (85 Mothers. 1,136 attendances), St. Mark's Room (72 Mothers, 843
attendances), and St. Luke's Institute (60 Mothers, 992 attendances). It is
perhaps of some interest to note that a grant of £64 7s. 9d. was given by
the Board of Education to the Society. In the same year a small Day
Nursery was established at No. 1. Homesdale Road with accommodation
for 30 children under a resident Matron assisted by a young girl. The
Health Visitor submitted her first Annual Report for the year, giving
details of her work, and recorded 2,740 visits.
In 1918 The Milk (Mothers and Children) Order gave rise to the
constitution of a Milk Sub-Committee of the Health Committee, where
cases were considered for a supply of milk at reduced cost. There is a
note in the Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. Codd):On
the whole very few complaints were heard of. except as to
the scarcity of milk, which was dealt with by the Food Control Office.
“ In 1919, after the passing of the Maternity and Child Welfare Act
of 1918, the Local Authority established three Infant Welfare Centres—St.
Luke's Institute, St. Mary's, Plaistow, and the Wesleyan Hall, Widmore,