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55
It will be observed that in 1911 the infantile mortality was much less
in this area than in the previous year, whereas it was very much higher
in the Limehouse district as a whole. I have arranged that in future the Health
Visitor has to visit the homes of all the babies born in the Parishes of Limehouse
and Shadwell, as well as in the Hamlet of Ratcliffe. The other part of the Borough,
where infantile mortality is highest, is St. George-in-the-East, and I am of opinion
that another Health Visitor in this district would be of great benefit in reducing the
large number of deaths of infants under one year of age. I understand that a branch
of the Mother's Home and Babies' Welcome is about to be established in this part
of the Borough, and the appointment of a Health Visitor would strengthen and supplement
the efforts of this voluntary agency.
Situate at 587, Commercial Road, close to the area where the Health Visitor has
been devoting most of her energies, is the Stepney School for Mothers.
The Health Visitor and the School for Mothers have the same object, namely,
to teach mothers the art of rearing healthy babies, and so to lessen the high mortality
among infants, and improve the health of those who survive.
The activities of the School, centre round the Infant Consultations which are
held every Tuesday afternoon throughout the year. Two medical men are in regular
attendance at these consultations, each mother has a personal interview with the
Doctor, and each infant is weighed.
During 1911, 1,292 attendances were made at the Infant Consultations, 244
new babies being brought during the year.
In special cases when ordered by the Medical Officer, dinners are given to
expectant and nursing mothers. During the year, 60 mothers partook of 2,739
dinners, being an average of 45 dinners to each mother. In almost every case, these
dinners are given free after careful enquiry into the circumstances of the family
On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons, classes of instruction in
Infant care and Home Nursing, in Cooking and in Sewing are held at the school,
large numbers of mothers attend these lectures, and take much interest in the practical
demonstrations which are given. Many instances are known of mothers who are
putting into practice in their own homes the knowledge gained at the School for
Mothers.
During the summer months special instruction is given, both orally and by
leaflets, on summer diarrhoea and how to prevent it.
It is three years since the school was opened, and it is slowly creating a strong
public opinion on such subjects as cleanliness, comforters, thrush, &c.