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59
reasons, help themselves. All Sanitary Authorities in whose
districts Milk Depots have been established are agreed that much
good has accrued in lessening the mortality and morbidity
amongst infants—St. Helens, Battersea, and Liverpool furnishing
statistics that prove this point. Thus, taking St. Helens (the
longest in existence), the infantile mortality rate has been reduced
as follows:—
1899 157 to 103.
1900 188 to 102.
1001 175 to 105.
i.e., a saving of life equal to 70 per 1,000.
All Authorities, further, agree in their endeavours to cater for
the infants of the poor, though it is found practically impossible
to keep out entirely the middle classes who may be desirous of
taking advantage of such an Institution.
As to the probable cost of the undertaking, it is clear that no
profit must be expected. Profits are not expected from other
sanitary undertakings and preventive measures, e.g., the provision
of Public Sanitary Conveniences, the removal of house refuse, the
methods of sewage disposal, etc. The utmost that a Sanitary
Authority can do is to endeavour to limit the expense as far as
possible, provided such a limitation does not interfere with the
usefulness and efficiency of the undertaking. To save life and to
prevent ill-health is the reason for a Sanitary Authority's existence,
and the establishment of a Milk Depot will accomplish this at a
cost to the ratepayers which is merely nominal, when the good
that must accrue to the public is considered. Taking the English
Milk Depot that has been longest established, viz., that at St.
Helen's, in Lancashire, it will be seen that the cost to the ratepayers
has been about £3 per weak, as shown by the following
statement of accounts, which I have obtained from the St. Helen's
Corporation:—