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It should be borne in mind that the scale is intended to
serve only as a basis, and a good deal of elasticity has to be
given in its application ; but, on the whole, it seems to have
worked fairly well. The economic conditions at present
prevailing render it difficult to fix an arbitrary standard.
( are is taken to see that no exploitation is made of these very
admirable powers. It is essential, however, that nursing and
expectant mothers and young children should have a reasonable
supply of milk, and while this point of view is fully recognised,
in cases of doubt as to the financial status of the
family it is the practice to interpret the orders in the spirit
rather than in the letter.
The total number of necessitous mothers and children
receiving milk under the provisions of the orders were 165,
of whom 28 had discontinued during 1919.
Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme.
The passing into law of the Maternity and Child Welfare
Act of 1918 gave an enormous impetus to the efforts of health
authorities in connection with Maternity and Child Welfare
work. The Act is compulsory, and requires every sanitary
authority to take effective measures for the welfare of nursing
and expectant mothers, and of children who are not attending
public elementary schools, or who are under 5 years of age.
Every sanitary authority was called upon to appoint a
Maternity and Child Welfare Committee, and provision was
made in the Act for the co-option of outside members, of
whom at least two should be women. In 1919 an important and
valuable memorandum was issued by the Local Government
Board, which set out in detail the measures that could be
included under the provisions of the Act for an effective scheme
for co-ordinating and developing the existing methods being
carried out by sanitary authorities and voluntary organisations
in connection with Maternity and Child Welfare. The Act,
moreover, provided that cost incurred by sanitary authorities
in connection with such schemes would rank for contribution
from the National Exchequer.
A letter was received from the Local Government Board,
dated the 21st March, 1919, stating that, from the report of one
of their inspectors of a recent visit of enquiry into the Maternity
and Child Welfare. Scheme of the Borough, it appears
that the appointment of at least two additional health visitors
is necessary if the work is to have its full value, and asking
if the Statutory Maternity and Child Welfare Committee has
now been appointed and asking, further, that on
the return of (he Medical Officer of Health to duty the Council
will consider the question of extending their scheme on the
lines of the Board's circular letter of the 9th of August, 1918.