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numbered 1,862, therefore, the infantile death-rate, based on these figures, is
105.26 per thousand births. The lowest record is 74.55 in 1910. Nineteen
of the 196 infantile deaths were those of illegitimate infants—that is 9.69 per
cent, of the infantile deaths. An inquest was held on one of the 19. Inquests
were also held on 27 of the other infants, making a total of 28.
The Infantile Mortality Rate at Edmonton Workhouse and Infirmary was
691.36 per 1,000 births there—a very high figure. A high general death-rate
is expected in Workhouse Infirmaries, because they are the last resort of those
without money and without hope of recovery; but the same explanation cannot
be accepted for a heavy death-rate amongst children.
The Infantile Mortality Rate for the year in England and Wales was 109;
in London, 105; in the 96 great towns (which include Edmonton), 117; and in
the 145 smaller towns, 112 per thousand births registered.

Table IV. enables the deaths among infants under one year of age from
certain causes to be recorded in weeks and months of age. The information
collected by this means for the whole country will prove of great value in
indicating the true significance that should be attached to the mortality in the
various age groups.
This Table shows that just under 30 per cent, of the infantile deaths
occurred within the first month of life, and that just under 25 per cent. were
due to what are termed "wasting diseases," viz., premature birth, atrophy,
debility, congenital defects, and marasmus. Last year the figures were over
37 and 38 per cent. Wasting diseases are conditions that for the most
part manifest themselves at the birth of the infant, and depend on bad ante-natal
circumstances associated with the health of the mother, such as factory work,
drink, venereal disease, and the use of abortifacients, rather than on any external
influence to which the child becomes subject after birth, snch as improper
feeding, clothing, or exposure. Although adverse external influences may begin
to operate from the moment of birth it is not, as shown by the Table, until
the later months of life that they begin to give rise to deaths in any significant
numbers. I must also notice that the premature births tor 1913-12-11 were
26, 30 and 27, respectively.