Economic and financial section > Problem of nutrition

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in accordance with the advice given by the Institute. This service is
attached to the Consultation Service for the Nutrition of Healthy
Persons.
Australia.
Federal Capital Territory.
Mothercraft Centres.
Advice on dietetics is the principal function of a fully trained nurse
at the mothercraft centres. The total attendances have reached about
4,000 per annum. Further, clinic emulsion of cod-liver oil is given to the
necessitous, and, where these have an inadequate milk supply, a free
issue of milk is arranged. Ante-natal dietetic advice is given to mothers,
and the centres are generally a source for the dissemination of information
on “ protective foods ”. Children over one year of age are utilising the
service provided by the mothercraft centres to an increasing extent.
For the year 1934-35, 1,000 such visits were made. A second nurse is
being appointed to supervise the health of the pre-school child by
visiting all homes, district by district, throughout the year. Dietetic
inadequacies will be corrected and the Department of Health has
available funds for the provision of extra milk for children when required.
Weight charts are kept of all infants attending the mothercraft centres.
In the examination of schoolchildren, particulars of general nutrition,
weights and heights are taken, together with a full examination, inclusive
of noting the signs of any deficiency diseases. On the whole, the children
are overweight as compared with the table prepared for children of New
South Wales over a wide experience.
The State of New South Wales.
Food Distribution to Children of Unemployed.
In order to supplement the diet of individuals who are dependent upon
unemployment relief work or gratuitous food or clothing relief, and who,
for any special reason, require extra nourishment, certain provision is
made to meet such requirements.
Expectant and nursing mothers, infants requiring special foods,
children showing evidence of under-nourishment or convalescing from
illness may, on presentation of satisfactory medical certificates, obtain
extra foods, such as milk, eggs, green vegetables, cod-liver oil, etc.
The cost to the Government of such additional foods approximates
^80,000 annually at the present time.
The State of Victoria.
Baby Centres.
In Victoria, there are 150 baby health centres which are subsidised
by the State Health Department and local authorities, at which expectant
mothers and mothers with infants can obtain advice without charge.