The local health authorities have large powers, and some already are eager to use them. As President of the Local Government Board I was able to submit to them a comprehensive scheme of assistance to mothers in pregnancy, in confinement, and in the care of the infants, and to offer, to such as chose to adopt it, a Treasury grant of one-half of the modest expenditure involved. The need at the moment is to create among the local councillors and their electors a body of opinion which will secure the adoption of this scheme and its administration on effective lines. Because I believe it will conduce to that end, I commend this book the more readily.

CONTENTS

PAGE
PREFACE BY THE RIGHT HON. HERBERT SAMUEL, M.P.[V]
INTRODUCTION[1]
LETTERS FROM WORKING-WOMEN[18]
METHOD OF INQUIRY[191]
OCCUPATIONS OF HUSBANDS[192]
FIGURES BEARING ON INFANT MORTALITY[194]
LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD MEMORANDUM, JULY, 1914[196]
SUMMARY OF THE NOTIFICATION OF BIRTHS (EXTENSION) ACT, 1915[198]
LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD CIRCULAR, JULY, 1915[200]
ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES[207]
NATIONAL SCHEME PROPOSED BY THE WOMEN’S CO-OPERATIVE GUILD[209]

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS AND FACSIMILES

PAGE
A GUILD CONGRESS[Frontispiece]
FACSIMILE OF LETTER 24[51]
A FAMILY OF ELEVEN CHILDREN[Facing 58]
FACSIMILE OF LETTER 36[63]
FACSIMILE OF LETTER 106[139]
A FAMILY OF FOUR OUT OF FIFTEEN CHILDREN[Facing 110]
BRADFORD MUNICIPAL INFANT HOSPITAL[Facing 190]