London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Islington 1914
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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33
[1914
in this subject, to learn that it is fast becoming a model for Schools for Mothers
in London, and that it is extending its work in several directions ; its only need
is funds to enable it to do more, and it is sincerely hoped that the Borough
Council of Islington will give its support—moral and pecuniary—to enable it to
continue its usefulness
It is good tidings to learn that the success of the Northern School for
Mothers, in connection with which the name of Mrs. Florence Keen will be
always associated, has also induced a number of ladies, who have the welfare of
the children at heart, to band themselves together to establish a similar School
for South Islington. Even then Islington will not be properly supplied, for
Schools are wanted both in the eastern and in the western parts of the borough.
No doubt these will come in time, but not too soon, because there are constant
enquiries made at the Public Health Department by women as to where such
Schools are to be found. The day has passed when Schools for Mothers were
looked upon with suspicion and as fads; they are now heartily welcomed by
mothers who regard them as trusty friends in their times of doubt and
difficulties which occur and recur during the trying periods of their carrying
and rearing their infants.
In the following statement is shown the ages at which infants died from all causes in Islington during the past ten years,, the number at each period, and the percentage which these numbers bear to the total infant deaths.
| Ages of Infants. | No. of Deaths. | Percentage of Deaths. |
|---|---|---|
| Under a week old | 1,793 died, or 19.6 per cent. of the infant deaths | |
| 1to 2 weeks „ | 492 „ | 5.4 „ „ |
| 2 to 3 „ „ | 399 „ | 4.3 „ „ |
| 3 to 4 „ „ | 331 „ | 3.6 „ „ |
| Total under a month | 3,015 „ | 32.9 „ „ |
| 1 to 3 months | 1.776 „ | 19.4 „ „ |
| Total under 3 months | 4.791 „ | 523 „ „ |
| 3 to 6 months | 1,719 „ | 18.8 ,, „ |
| 6 to 9 „ | 1,350 „ | 14.7 „ „ |
| 9 to 12 „ | 1,302 „ | 14.2 „ „ |
| Total 3 to 12 months | 4,371 „ | 47.7 „ „ |
| Total | 9.162 „ | 100.0 „ „ |
Such figures as these, especially those relating to the earlier weeks of
existence, need no comment, for any one who seriously studies them must arrive
at the conclusion that they indicate an enormous loss of infant life, which is
p