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29
Although mothers may come to the centre from all parts of the Borough, they are
mostly from close by. On the west side of the Borough they go to the Shoreditch
School for Mothers. The observation wards are for the use of the whole of the
Borough. During the year attendances at the Infant Welfare consultations held at
this centre averaged 270 per week. From Monday to Friday, inclusive, a mid-day
dinner was supplied to nursing and expectant mothers, who averaged approximately
28 per day on which dinners were served. There is another dining centre for the
western part of the Borough which is in use mainly for the area of the Shoreditch
School for Mothers. At this centre, the average attendance for the year was about
20 per day. All arrangements as regards the supply of milk are made at the
administrative centre at the Town Hall in accordance with a scheme settled by the
Maternity and Child Welfare Committee. Dried milk only is distributed at the centre
as is done in the cases of the other consultation centres. In cases where cows' milk
is required for infants in the wards, certified milk is used.
During the year 55 babies and 7 mothers were admitted to the observation
wards. It is satisfactory to be able to record the admission of 7 mothers with their
babies for the establishment of breast-feeding, as considerable difficulty was
experienced in the preceding year in arranging the admission of these cases. In the
cases of 10 of the infants admitted there were fatal terminations. Brief particulars
regarding these are contained in the Table at the end of the Appendix. The children
discharged were in nearly all cases greatly benefited by their stay in the institution.
The cases admitted to the observation wards (see Statistical Summary, pp. 75
and 76 Appendix) were those suffering from disorders of digestion, marasmus, debility,
prematurity, and the like. For the most part treatment in the wards means careful
attention to general management and to diet.
As more than 18 months had elapsed since the completion of the Centre, the
Committee decided to have it painted, and this work was accordingly put in
hand in September. This necessitated emptying the wards for four weeks. By
the kind permission of the Management several of the babies were transferred to
the wards of the Harman Street Mission.
At the Infant Welfare consultations advice is given as regards the care of infants
and children. Beyond such simple remedies as aperients, treatment is not undertaken.
Cases requiring to be under medical supervision are referred to medical
practitioners or hospitals in the neighbourhood.
At the ante-natal consultations mothers are advised as regards their general
health. Any requiring special treatment are referred to the City of London Maternity
Hospital, City Road, there being special facilities for this under an agreement between
the Borough Council and the Hospital Authorities. Mothers, however, are not bound
by this, and it is open to them to select any other hospital they may desire.