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18
SLEEPING WITH PARENTS.
It was found that 183 bahies, or 48 per cent., slept with their
parents. This custom is prevalent and dangerous, and I would
specially direct attention to the three deaths which occurred from
this cause during the year.
TEACHING OF INFANT CARE AND MANAGEMENT.
In connection with the subject of Infantile Mortality, I
attribute the highest importance to the teaching of the above
subject to the older girls at the schools. Many of these girls,
at an eaily age, are left at home to look after the baby while
the mother goes out to work, and all of them are keenly interested
in the subject. This work is undertaken by the Health Visitors,
and is referred to fully in my report as School Medical Officer.
CAUSES OF DEATH.
578 deaths occurred in the district during the year, and the
causes of these deaths are detailed on Table IV.
Diseases of the respiratory organs, including Pulmonary
Tuberculosis, accounted for 142 deaths, and Cancer for 36.
Tuberculosis. This disease gave rise to 64 deaths, of which
46 were due to consumption. The number of deaths from consumption
per annum in this district is diminishing on the average,
as the following table will shew