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The diseases which have principally contributed to this were the following—the figures in
brackets referring to the number of deaths under 1 year in 1904, and the others to the number
in 1905:- Measles, 12 (33); whooping cough, 16 (22); diarrhœa, 111 (148); bronchitis, 39 (55);
pneumonia, 68 (84). According to these figures, measles, diarrhœa and respiratory diseases
account for the largest part of the reduction, and the reduction in gastro-intestinal diseases is the
more remarkable considering that the summer was a very warm one and judging by previous
experience liable to produce much diarrhœa. While not wishing to draw hasty conclusions it is
noteworthy that this is the first year in which any special attempt has been made to check the
infantile mortality, and as reported in last year's Annual Report this was done by the systematic
distribution of instructions on infantile feeding whenever a birth occurred. I firmly believe that
this work has had some share in the reduction of infantile mortality, but how much it is quite
impossible to say.
Infantile mortality is only one branch of the larger subject of the preservation of child
life and is intimately bound up with other branches of hygiene such as physical degeneration.
In preserving the lives of infants you are at the same time improving the health of those which
would not have died but would have gone into school life in a more or less unfit condition. The
crusade against infantile mortality is comparatively recent and has been occupying more and
more the attention of philanthropists in all civilised countries during the last 4 or 5 years.
An enumeration of all the methods adopted would be difficult, but some of the principle
ones may be mentioned taking them in chronological order. Presuming that the child belongs
to healthy parents the first care should concern the pregnant mother, and efforts should be
directed to such subjects as employment at this period, proper food and general hygiene. The
next stage is the birth, which should be superintended by skilled persons who can see that no
injury takes place which may be prejudicial to the child or mother later. The third stage which most
immediately concerns us is the care of the child from birth up to the end of the first and second
years. The important provisions here are healthy surroundings and suitable food. The former is
deal t w ith under our every d a y hygiene measures, the latter rests principally on the mother.
Mothers of the poorer classes, unfortunately, owing to industrial conditions, enter into marriage
With a minimum of education, especially in household economy and the care of children. Their
sole instructresses are as a rule elder relatives or neighbours of the same sex. The only way to get
rid of this ignorance is to get the future mothers during their last year at school and teach them some
general household economies and follow this up by evening or other classes for a few years
longer, so that when they are married, their minds if not very largely stored will yet be receptive
to such teaching as they may receive afterwards. When married, further instructions should be
given during the period of pregnancy, and here one looks to the general practitioner and the
midwife. On birth, a leaflet advising as to infant feeding, and emphasising the paramount
importance of breast feeding, etc., should be sent, but the value of this measure would be
quadrupled by verbal and practical instructions from a lady health visitor or lady sanitary
inspector. I hope soon to see this followed up in the way I have mentioned.
For mothers who cannot suckle their infants a pure milk is necessary, and as the trade
do not seem inclined to supply this at present, many public bodies do it by starting Municipal
Milk Depôts. This method I am in favour of, but within certain well-defined limits, and in
combination with regular medical inspection of those partaking of the milk, and general
supervision of its use in the home.
In connection with the distribution of infant feeding cards, the following are particulars
of cases in which the cards have been returned owing to wrong addresses being given to the
Registrars of Births, or to the removal of the family between the time of registration and the
posting of the card: —
Total.
False Addresses given. Removed since Registration.
Name not known at Address given. No such number in Street. Removed. House unoccupied.
107 75 8 20 4
Senile Mortality.
The number of deaths over 65 years of age in 1905 was 458, against 479 in 1904. There
was a considerable decrease in respiratory and heart diseases, and an increase in cancer.
Death Certification.
There were no uncertified deaths in 1905. Deaths under this heading in 1904 and 1903
were 5.
Zymotic Diseases.
The following table gives the death rates for the principle zymotic diseases. Corresponding
figures are given for London for comparison.