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illness. It is of the highest importance that the mother
and her baby should remain in the home for say three
weeks, in order that the mother may be in a fit state to
resume her ordinary domestic duties when she leaves,
and the only chance of securing this is to be able to
assure the mother that her family will be well looked
after during her absence.
Provision of food for expectant and nursing mothers and
for children under five years of age.— The Local Government
Board consider that schemes for the supply of food
and milk should be undertaken by the authority carrying
out the Maternity and Child Welfare scheme. With the
present high price of milk (10d. a quart) it is impossible
for some mothers to procure sufficient of this indispensable
food, and arrangements should be made for its
supply either free or at a reduced price to necessitous
women when recommended by the doctors or Welfare
Centres, but, of course, very careful enquiries would have
to be made into each case to prevent abuse. It is difficult
to estimate the number of mothers who would require
such assistance, especially as economic conditions are now
so uncertain, but we think that the Council should provisionally
sanction an expenditure of £150 a year for this
purpose.
The Council will note that the scheme outlined provides
for:—
(1) Notification of Births to Medical Officer of Health.
(2) Visitation of mothers and babies by Health
Visitors.
(3) Attendance of children from infancy up to school
age at Consultations held by a lady Medical practitioner.
(4) Home supervision of the children attending the
Consultations by the Health Visitors and Nurses to
ensure the carrying out of the Doctor's instructions and
improvements of home conditions.