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1. Deaths attributable to errors in feeding.—Fifty-six Diarrhoea
and Enteritis Deaths. It will be noted from Table IV., that 39 of
these 56 deaths, or 70 per cent., occurred under the age of 6 months,
and 44 occurred during the 3rd quarter of the year. The Health
Visitors came on duty during that quarter, but from ehanges
occurring subsequently, as under, they were not on full duty during
the very necessary period referred to when their services were most
required and their influence could have been best exerted .—
Health Visitor. Came on Duty. Vacated Office.
Miss Williams, 18th July, 1911. 30th September, 1911.
,, Rishton. 1st August, 1911. 20th December, 1911.
,, Sinclair, 3rd November, 1911.
,, Harris, 22nd January, 1912
Subsequently the 44 deaths from Diarrhoea and Enteritis occurring
in the 3rd and 4th quarter of the year were visited, and it is to be
noted that in only three of these instances was the child being fed
naturally at the time of the onset of Diarrhoea. This points to the
enormous importance of natural feeding, and coupled with the fact
that 70 per cent. of these deaths occurred under the age of six
months, shews that if natural feeding is continued during the first
six months of life, an enormous number of infant lives will be saved
in spite of such very trying weather conditions as were experienced
during last summer.