364 MEDICAL SECTION 



sickness, holidays, or lack of employment for their 

 husbands. 



Weekly consultations are held, at which the babies 

 are weighed, and those ailing or requiring advice 

 are seen by one of the honorary medical advisers. 

 The homes are visited as frequently as possible. 

 In 1909 a club for expectant mothers was begun, 

 and all savings of 55. or more before the birth of the 

 infant supplemented by a bonus of i|d. in the is. 



A sewing class was also begun, at which the 

 garments for the expected infants could be made, and 

 other necessaries prepared, to ensure as far as possible 

 cleanliness at, and during, the lying-in period. All 

 materials supplied were paid for in small weekly 

 payments. Very few could be persuaded to come 

 to these classes, and other efforts were felt to be 

 necessary. 



In 1911 the Superintendent gave Monday morning 

 to visiting expectant mothers in their homes, and 

 collecting club savings. (Monday is the day on 

 which the factory-working mother most frequently 

 takes holiday.) These visits also gave opportunities 

 for quiet talks with the mothers about their health, 

 food, and personal cleanliness. 



During 1911 forty-seven mothers paid into this 

 club and many more were visited, but of these latter 

 the number was not registered. 



In 1912 the Superintendent found it necessary t< 

 give the whole of Monday to this branch of the worl 

 and the following records were kept : 



One hundred and eleven expectant mothers wei 

 visited regularly, from the second to the seventl 

 month of pregnancy, up to the birth of the child. 



Sixty-six of these paid into the club, and twenty- 

 two earned the bonus Seventeen made clothes an< 

 other necessaries at the classes, and the remainder 

 prepared them at home, in many cases under the 

 supervision of the Superintendent. 



