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38.
general statement may be set down here. The essential
feature of the scheme is the Health Visitor, who, initially
trained as a nurse and certified as a midwife, has added
to her knowledge a full training in hygiene and public
health. Under the supervision of the medical officers,
and on information supplied under the provisions of the
Notification of Births Acts, 1907 and 1915, the Health
Visitors visit the homes of newborn infants, especially
giving attention to the poorer homes, and put themselves
in touch with the mothers as soon as possible after the
doctor or midwife has ceased attendance, or on their
discharge from the Maternity Home or Hospital. They
teach mothercraft generally, and particularly in reference
to breast feeding and the care and nursing of the
infant, and concern themselves also with any other
health questions that may come under their observation.
The work of the Health Visitors is co-ordinated
and directed from the Public Health Office; and they
also attend systematically at the Infant Welfare Centres,
to which mothers are encouraged to bring their babies
periodically for continuous supervision by the medical
officers, in reference to the maintenance of good health.
At the centres minor ailments necessarily come under
consideration, but it is kept steadily in view that the
centres exist, not as dispensaries for the treatment of
sick children, but for the guidance of mothers in the
successful care of their normally developing infants.
Every effort is made to secure the sympathy and
co-operation of the local medical practitioners and of
the medical officers of hospitals in the vicinity, and also
of the agencies of the London County Council responsible
for district midwifery and for the School Medical Service.
The general willingness that exists on the part
of all these various persons and organisations to cordially
reciprocate these efforts is gratefully acknowledged. Of
course, there are exceptions, where financial interests
seem to conflict, and some individuals cannot get awav
from the near view; but the wider outlook is the general
one, and should in time be the only one.