London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Deptford 1935

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Deptford, Metropolitan Borough of]

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112
870 test feeds were conducted at the Breast feeding Clinic, of
which all were sent by the Borough Council.
39 mothers with infants were admitted as in-patients for restoration
of Breast-feeding.
10. Supply of Milk and Accessory Foods.
The Borough Council's scheme provides for the issue of fluid and
dried milk, at full cost, or free, or at half-cost, according to a Scale of
Necessity, to
(a) Expectant mothers during the last three months of pregnancy.
(b) Nursing mothers.
(c) Children up to three years, also, in exceptional circumstances
to children between three and five years of age.
The issue is in general accordance with the Minister of Health's
Circular No. 185.
Various brands of dried milk are issued, labelled specially to the
Council's directions to avoid the use of trade names.
In 1935, the following free or half-price issues were authorised:—
12,772 families were given fortnightly supplies.
Fluid milk formed the bulk of this supply, dried milk being issued
only on the recommendation of the Centre Medical Officers.
Issues of Cod Liver Oil and Malt and Virol are made upon medical
advice to debilitated children, the parent paying cost price, where able.
11. Compensation to Midwives.
Where an expectant mother, referred to the Ante-natal Clinic by a
midwife with whom she has " booked," is found to be suffering from
some abnormality which necessitates her confinement in hospital, the
Council pay to the midwife a portion of her prospective fee which would
be otherwise lost. In 13 instances this policy was carried into effect,
involving a total expenditure of £6 10s.
Payment of Midwives' Fees.
In three instances the Council paid the fee of the midwife for her
attendance in necessitous cases.