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84
I may state that it has always been the custom in Hackney
to restrict the supply of milk to expectant mothers in the later
months of pregnancy, and in all doubtful cases the certificate of a
midwife or the Medical Officer of the Centre has been required.
(2) The quantity of milk to be supplied has been reduced to
half a pint per diem, but in exceptional cases 1½ pints may be
supplied to infants between 3 months and 18 months of age.
(3) The Ministry state that milk should be given only where
a Medical Officer is satisfied that a supply is essential on grounds
of health. This restriction has also been followed in Hackney,
if one considers that starvation is likely to cause injury to health.
Special certificates are required where one and a half pints to
infants is supplied, and for supplying children between the agesof
3 and 5 years.
(4) Milk should be given to nursing mothers only where they
are actually suckling their children.
(5) Applications have not hitherto been considered by the
Committee as the Ministry suggest should be done before theOrder
has been sent to the milk vendor. Applications have been
passed by the Medical Officer of Health after *the responsible
financial officer appointed by the Council for the purpose—Mr.
Bowman—has checked the amounts, etc.
Mr. Bowman is responsible under the direction of the Medical
Officer of Health for the issue of stores, drugs, dried milks, etc.,
at the Centres, and the issuing of orders authorised by the Medical
Officer of Health to milk vendors.
Mr. Bowman is also responsible for the payment for sales at
cost price at the Centres, for checking and making out orders
for drugs and dried milks, and he attends the municipal Centres
—Northwold Road Centre on Tuesday afternoon; Overbury
Street, two sessions on Wednesday; Brooksby's Walk, Thursday
afternoon; Mayfield Road, Friday afternoon.