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57
Indeed, the larger the number of deaths investigated in regard to
this point of bad infant feeding, the more is the case against it
strengthened. The remedy is to feed infants on human milk, or, if
that be impracticable, then on clean pure cows' milk, suitably
modified for infant consumption. If both of these are impossible,
then recourse must be had to sterilised milk.
(d) Occupation of the Mother.
Out of the 70 deaths from epidemic diarrhoea in infants it
appears that only five of the mothers worked away from home
altogether, 9 others were intermittently occupied, 13 did some
home work, and 43 did no industrial work of any kind. This
means that 93 per cent. of the mothers were more or less entirely
engaged at home and could give all necessary attention to their
children. It is therefore clear that the fact of mothers going out
to work had little or nothing to do with these deaths.
(e) Relation to Housing and Cleanliness.
Of the 70 deaths of epidemic diarrhœa under consideration
17 or 24.3 per cent, occurred in one room dwellings.
33 or 47.1 „ „ two room „
13 or 18.5 „ „ three room ,,
7 or 10.0 ,, ,, four and more rooms.
It is therefore evident that upwards of 70 per cent. of these
deaths occurred in dwellings of not more than two rooms. It
appears that in only 16 cases could any reasonable complaint
of uncleanliness be made in these 70 homes, which is verv
satisfactory.
(/) Relation to Previous Health of Children
It has been possible to obtain some information respecting the
condition of the child previous to the fatal illness in many of the
70 cases of deaths investigated.
In 15 cases (or 21 per cent.) the children were apparently in
good health, in 14 cases (or 20 per cent.) their health was only fair,
and in those remaining, which constituted 59 per cent., there was
definite history of weakness or illness. Some examples may be
cited:—