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44
Notwithstanding these adverse conditions, 73.5 per cent. of
the mothers nursed their children either wholly or in part on the
breast, whilst 26.5 per cent. were bottle fed. One of the most
valuable features of the Centre is their educational value. Formerly
a poor mother whose child was not doing well, was dependent on
the advice of a kindly neighbour as to whether the child should
be taken off the breast or no. An increasing number of mothers
who are in difficulty, come to the Centres for advice with great
advantage to the child and frequently they volunteer the information
that they were sent by another mother who had herself
attended under similar circumstances. On points of general
hygiene and cleanliness, the mothers are most conscientious in
carrying out instructions. It is to be noted that the Centres in
Hackney are mostly attended by the thrifty, careful mother, the
class which it is most important from the National point of view to
help, as it is from them that the best results in the bringing up of
healthy offspring will be obtained. Work in slum areas and
amongst the poor and improvident is of a different kind and must
partake more of the nature of social work, in trying to elevate the
general tone as well as to ameliorate conditions. In this class, the
work is always slow and often discouraging. But in the thrifty,
though frequently poor, artisan class such as we have to deal with
in Hackney, the mothers are exceedingly anxious to do their best
for their children, and advice given at the Centres is regularly
accepted and acted upon.
The benefit accruing to these children is immediate and
systematically carried out over the country, must have a marked
immediate effect in reducing infant mortality and in producing a
healthier and more robust type. The supplying of foods especially
of dried milks has developed largely. It is unfortunate that the
mere sale of food should take up so much of the Health Visitor's
time. The visitation of the mother in the home by the nurse is one
of the most important parts of the work of the Centre and is
rightly, the branch of the work most stress is laid on by the Local