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been carried out. In most cases the improvement was most
marked. Of the total number of infants on the register, viz., 472,
only 13 have died, as shown in the Table.
The attendance of the mothers at the Clinic proves the need
for such, and shows that the mothers are anxious to do their best
for their offspring to render them healthy and resistive to disease.
Nothing will hurt a mother's feeling so much as to suggest
that what she is doing is not the best for her child, but a young
mother properly directed in the feeding of her infant will confess
what little trouble that child gives. It is pleasing to note the
interest taken in the improvement of the general condition of the
children by their mothers when brought to be weighed.
The Infant Consultations have been carried on up to the
present out of voluntary funds obtained by dances, whist drives,
etc.
The Council have applied to the Local Government Board for
permission to make a grant of £25 to the fund, and I have no
doubt that this v. ill be forthcoming.
In those cases where I thought the infants would benefit by
" Virol," this was supplied. £30 were spent on this alone during
the year.
" Glaxc," £ preparation of dried milk, was also supplied to
mothers who Here unable to suckle their babies, either from
poverty or ill-health.
We give short addresses to the mothers on the care and
judicious feeding of infants, emphasising the importance of
suckling where possible.
No two cases are alike in their ability or disability to digest
an artificial food, hence the necessity of a clinic to inspect and
advise each case on its merits.
The work will thus be seen to be a good one, as it not only
preserves but perpetuates valuable life, the necessity for which is
the most urgent demand of the country, owing to the everdecreasing
birth-rate. It would therefore be unfortunate if the
good advice at present given to these mothers, who with praiseworthy
zeal bring their children to the Clinic, should be thrown
away if funds are not forthcoming to carry out the measures
advised.