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learning to use them. A baby that sleeps all day in a
garden thrives very much better than one which is kept
all day in the one or two-roomed tenement used for both
living and sleeping by the rest of the family.
The great advance made in the open-air treatment of
infants is illustrated in an amusing way by the following)
reminiscence: Some 15 years ago the wife of a late Mayor
of Woolwich received a visit from the Inspector of the
Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children. The Inspector
explained that he had received a complaint that
Mrs. was exposing her child in an injurious manner.
She somewhat indignantly pointed out to him that she was
only carrying out the instructions of her medical attendant,
Dr. S. Davies, who was then in general medical practice, and
had advised that the baby should sleep out of doors in the
day time. The salutary practice which is now common
was then so unusual as to have excited the horror of the
neighbours.
There is, however, one hindrance which is constantly;
met with even in the better class houses and that is the lack
of provision for storing food. It is part of a Health Visitor's
duty to advise mothers in the feeding of infants and young
children and this involves instruction in (i.) the choice, (ii.)
the preparation, and (iii.) the storing of food. To some extent
(i.) and (ii.) will depend upon what provision there
is for (iii.) In 202 routine investigations made in respect
of zymotic enteritis in houses of all classes in the Borough,
special note was taken of the accommodation provided for
food storing. In 111 cases food was stored in unventilated
cupboards. These were usually in the kitchen and were unduly
warm owing to proximity to the fireplace. In 61 cases
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