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63
RESEARCH.
(a) Nutrition of Expectant and Nursing Mothers in relation
to Maternal Mortality and Morbidity:—
The results of this investigation, in which the Hospital, with
nine mothers, took part, have not yet been reported. The research
was carried out under the guidance of the People's League of
Health, who supplied accessory food factors to fifty per cent. of our
mothers from March, 1938, until July of this year.
(b) Investigation into Daily Diets of Patients:
Since March, 1938, this investigation has also been carried out
by us in co-operation with the People's League of Health. Each
patient, when first attending the Hospital, is given a sheet in which
to give details of her diet day by day for a week. In addition,
questions are asked with a view to finding out what amount of
protective foods patients include in their diets. This investigation
has made it possible for us to give greater help to patients in the
correction of faulty diets, and, where diet is inadequate, to make
arrangements for the supply of necessary food.
(c) Investigation into the Cause of Mastitis in Nursing
Mothers:—
This investigation was begun this year, with the help of Dr.
Camps, who is having the bacteriological part of the work carried
out at Chelmsford.
MOTHERCRAFT INSTRUCTION.
The keenness of our young mothers attending the ante-natal
clinics made us aware that they were looking to us for help, advice,
and instruction in preparing for their babies, which was not
possible to give, much as we wished, at the ante-natal clinics. On
this account, we began in December to have fortnightly classes in
which to teach our mothers the simple principles of mothercraft.