[Report 1926] / Medical Officer of Health, Fife County Council.

  • Fife (Scotland). County Council
Date:
1926
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1926] / Medical Officer of Health, Fife County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    practically all expectant mothers in the district seem to think is necessary to maintain health in pregnancy when all the time they are defeating their own ends. On 31st July, the feeding of necessitous cases was taken over by the parish councils. The position then was not so satisfactory. The feeding of the children was left in the hands of the mothers. The purchasing value of the emergency relief card issued by parish councils to mothers and children over five years of age was increased by so much to cater for the children under five years and this additional amount varied considerably in different parishes. The children then got the minimum supply of milk daily and in a great many cases none at all, a similar state of affairs to that which existed in too many homes in pre-strike times. I took every opportunity of impressing upon the mothers how they and their children could be fed satisfactorily on plainer and cheaper food than they were in the habit of eating. Several mothers told me they realised that such was the case and I hoped that the stoppage had taught at least one lesson, the maintaining of good health on a much cheaper and plainer diet than is customary in the majority of homes throughout the district, but as wages improve extravagant feeding will be again indulged in ; in fact, already this is evident. Nurse Petrie—Western District.—The effect of the coal stoppage on the health of the mothers and children has not been detrimental. On the contrary, the health of the community was excellent. The child from infancy to five years showed a marked improvement in appearance and there was no sickness. The children born during this period have all been healthy and of normal weight, also showing the good condition of the expectant mother. This points to the advantage of wholesome feeding and plain diet and a regular supply of cows’ milk which was maintained through the Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme. Unfortunately, since the stoppage terminated, milk has not been bought to nearly so great an extent. Although the mothers realise the excellent quality of this perfect food for children, they hesitate to spend money on it, preferring to save the money for pleasure. The father must have his cigarettes vrhether the income can really afford it or not, travelling in buses short distances when walking would be beneficial, etc., etc. Unfortunately duty does not always come first but experience it is hoped will improve this attitude. ' # ] Nurse Roy—Central District.—The coal stoppage was a very trying time to most mothers in the mining area and although neither the mothers nor the children showed unusual signs of ill-health due to pinching and privation, the mothers were to be pitied and are so even yet. The children looked well because they received plenty of milk
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