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first month. Thirty-three per cent. of the infants died from
what may be termed "pre-natal causes." This is about the
same proportion as shown in the Registrar-General's figures
for England and Wales.
The death-rate per 1,000 amongst infants must necessarily
be largely in excess of the death-rate per 1,000 at any other
yearly age period, owing to the frailty of the infants, to
immaturity, to congenital defects, inherited weakness and
inability to resist ailments which in children of an older
growth would have but trifling effects, and from many other
causes.
Amongst infants in both urban and rural areas there has
been a marked increase in the deaths from gastro intestinal
maladies and premature birth, and these and other influences
have counteracted the benefits to the infant population of the
generally improved sanitary conditions of the people, and the
fruits of over a quarter of a century of compulsory education.
This excessive infant mortality is principally confined to the
poorer classes, and it is the result of many forces, some of
which are very complex; but the main factors are: The
employment away from home of those about to become
mothers, and of those recently confined who should be nourishing
their infants, the infants being badly cared for and ill-fed
while their mothers are at work; and the ignorance among
women as to feeding, clothing, and managing of infants.
This maternal ignorance and neglect offend against every law
of hygiene, and is responsible for so many children failing to
complete their first year of life.
Here, in passing, I should like to testify to the excellent
work being done by the Day Nursery in Haydon's Road in
taking care of infants and children whilst their mothers are
away from home following some employment. It is pleasing
to note that on each of the occasions I have visited the Home,
I have been very much struck with the kind and thoughtful
attention bestowed on them.
Diarrhœal diseases and deaths from defective nutrition
are always truly referred to as the chief dangers to which
hand-fed children are exposed, and this fact emphasises the
argument against rearing a child by hand except in cases of
absolute necessity. The proportion of hand-fed children to
those who are suckled increases yearly, and everywhere the
same testimony is forthcoming that children fed naturally
from the breast have a prospect in life far in excess of those
who are fed artificially. Even under the most favourable con
ditions the substitution for the infant's natural food of an
artificial diet is disadvantageous, but when we find the
mother's milk is very often substituted by such products as
cheap brands of condensed milk and of artificial foods,
administered by those who have little knowledge of the
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