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Treatment for the above defects, for enlarged tonsils and
adenoids and other crippling conditions, e.g., hernias, is urgently
needed, for in the interests of national health, it cannot be too
strongly emphasised that if defects are present in children they
should be treated as soon as possible. To wait until the child is
of school age (5 years) before treatment is instituted, is an unsound
and uneconomical policy and is to be absolutely condemned.
Home Help for Mothers.
A Home Help was appointed by the Committee in 1919 to
assist mothers with their domestic work during their confinement.
Her services have proved very useful and have been much
appreciated. During the year she paid 328 visits to homes for the
purpose of rendering assistance.
Grants of Milk and Food.
Much good has been done by continuing the grants of milk
and food to expectant and nursing mothers and of milk to children
under 5 years. During the year the scale by which grants are
regulated was altered, rent being deducted before calculating the
nett family income. The total nett income is then divided by the
number of persons in the family, adults as well as children, the
quotent being the amount per head.
Scale for grants.
Where the amount per head is less than 8/-, the grant is free
Where the amount per head is 8/- but less than 9/-, the
recipient pays quarter of the cost.
Where the amount per head is 9/- but less than 10/-, the
amount paid is half the cost.
Where the amount per head is 10/- but less than 11/-, the
recipient pays three quarters of the cost.
Where the amount per head is 11/- or more, no grant is made.
Furthermore, before a grant is authorised, a form of application
setting forth the members of the family, their ages, occupation,
name and address of employer, weekly wage of each member