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47
The Medical Officer of Health has previously ascertained all
particulars relating to each case from the Health Visitors, General
Practitioners, and Hospital Medical Officers concerned. All the
information obtained is treated in a confidential manner, and as a
result of the investigations, either adjustments of the existing
administrative procedure, or other measures are undertaken which
are calculated to prevent a recurrence of the conditions ascertained
to be the cause of the fatality.

During the course of investigation the following facts emerged,
which are of interest. Of the deaths under 2 years of age, 82 per
cent, occurred in institutions; and of the 19 deaths occurring during
the first month, 10.5 per cent, of the mothers had not received antenatal
supervision, whilst of the 25 deaths between 2 months and one
year, 32 per cent, had never attended an infant welfare centre.
Of the 27 still births, 7.4 per cent, of the mothers had not received
ante.natal supervision.
There were 15 deaths of illegitimate children under 2 years of
age, which represents a Mortality Rate of 87 per 1,000 illegitimate
births as compared with 26 for legitimate children.
This Committee has been doing very valuable work since its
inception in 1924. In October, 1923, my predecessor, Dr. Scrase,
suggested to the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee that by a
systematic enquiry into the death of every child under two years of
age, it might be possible to ascertain in what respects, if. any, the
Borough Scheme in relation to maternity and child welfare might be
improved upon, or the efficiency of its application increased.
This was agreed to by the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee
and the first quarterly meeting of the Infant Deaths, etc.,