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homes, admission being made either direct or, in the case of children,
through the Invalid Children's Aid Association. During 1931, 16 cases
were sent away.
9. Hospital Provision for Infants.
(a) Deptford Babies' Hospital, Albury Street.
The Borough Council's Scheme provides for the treatment of
delicate and marasmic infants in this hospital. Since the 1st April, 1930,
the Exchequer Grant to it became payable through the Borough
Council, which has to be satisfied, as a result of inspections made, of
"the efficiency of the service provided." During 1931, nine babies
were admitted under the scheme.
(b) St. Thomas' Babies' Hostel, Kennington.
(1) In-patient Treatment. Mothers and Infants, where difficulty in
breast-feeding is experienced, and occasionally infants alone, are sent
to this hostel with very satisfactory results. During 1931, ten
mothers with their infants were referred for treatment.
(2) Out-patient Treatment. This is provided in order that " testfeeds
" may be carried out.
While the results of treatment at St. Thomas' Hostel are eminently
satisfactory, the distance from Deptford is a drawback to full use being
made of the facilities afforded. The importance of breast feeding as the
only way to give a baby a healthy start in life is too well known to
require stressing and, to meet, if only to a slight extent, the need of
mothers who cannot travel to Kennington, "Test Feeds "are conducted
at the Town Hall and Harton Street. During 1931, 287 " Test Feeds "
were so undertaken. Obviously, this procedure is necessarily limited
and the need for a local Centre which could be used as a Breast-feeding
Clinic is manifest.
Should it be found possible, at some future date, to establish such a
centre, it would meet the need, at times urgent, for temporary resident
accommodation for infants whose mothers are unable to look after them
owing to illness, or who, themselves requiring hospital treatment, would
thus be enabled to enter an institution with the knowledge that the baby
would be cared for in their absence.