View report page

From the above table it will be seen that since the adoption of the notification
of Births Act in March, 1908, the infantile mortality of the Borough has been less
than that for London. The increase in this rate last year was more than wholly
accounted for by the large number of deaths from diarrhoeal diseases due to the
exceptional hot and dry summer, there having been 26 deaths from diarrhoeal
diseases in comparison with only 9 in 1910.
Fourteen at least of the 104 deaths of infants under one year of age were
of illegitimate children.
Of the 104 deaths of infants during the year the Lady Sanitary Inspector
was able to obtain further details respecting 96. Of the remaining 8 cases, 2 had
removed and 2 died in the Workhouse.
Of the 96 deaths respecting which further details were obtained, 17,
principally cases of premature birth, died before taking food; only 38 were breast
fed, 1 was partly, and 40 artificially fed. In 8 of these the mothers worked in
factory or workshop, 14 were engaged in charing or other work outside the home,
2 were engaged in home work (tailoring), and 7 were in domestic service. There
was the large number of 26 deaths of infants from diarrhoeal diseases, 16 being
artificially fed, 3 partly so, and 2 unascertained. Of the 104 deaths 42 were from
prenatal causes and 62 from postnatal causes.
The principal causes of death of these 104 children under one year of age
are given in Table V. of the Appendix.
G