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year by 946 infants, compared with 460, 863, 1,408, and
1,196 in the three previous years. For particulars see Miss
FitzGerald's report.
48. Maternity and Child Welfare. In 1914 the Local
Government Board suggested that local authorities should
carry out a complete scheme for maternity and child
welfare embracing:—
(1) The local supervision of midwives.
(2) An ante-natal clinic for expectant mothers with
home visiting and the provision of a maternity
hospital.
(3) By assistance to ensure skilled and prompt attendance
at birth.
(4) By an infant consultation for infants and children
up to school age.
Numbers 1 and 3 are in the province of the London
County Council which is the supervisory authority for
midwives.
As regards (2), at the suggestion of the Local Government
Board arrangements were made by the Borough Council
with the British Hospital for Mothers and Babies to
establish an ante-natal clinic, the Hospital providing the
services of a medical woman together with an experienced
member of its nursing staff and the Borough Council
supplying the rooms and the necessary appliances.
An ante-natal clinic on these lines was commenced in
the rooms used by the infant consultation at the end of
November and it has continued to work satisfactorily.
The midwives and doctors of the district were circularised
inviting them to send their patients to the clinic. The
numbers so far attending have not been very large, but