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was the assigned cause of 11 cases, all of which had been sent to
the Poor Law Infirmary too late for beneficial treatment: none
of them were over six months old.
Inanition.— This term, like Malnutrition, is further
evidence of failure in feeding. To this cause eight deaths were
attributed, each under the age of six months.
Debility was the certified cause of nine deaths of children
six months old and under.
Marasmus, or failure of nutrition, caused 23 deaths. In
six instances cases were removed to the Infirmary, and one to
the Salvation Army Maternity Home.
The remaining deaths grouped under the heading of
Digestive Diseases were Rickets, Over-distention of stomach with
undigested food, Jaundice, Stomatitis.
Overlaying and other Accidents.— Seven deaths were
recorded, three due to suffocation while in bed with parents, and
four to other accidents.
It may be fairly assumed from information collected that
a large proportion of the infantile deaths are due to improper
feeding, and consequently preventable. The fact that so much
life is wasted through ignorance is lamentable in itself, but one
cannot estimate the baneful effect upon the children who survive,
showing deformities due to Rickets, or various forms of
mental and nervous diseases resulting from improper nutrition
and care during infancy.
Until the end of the year we were seriously handicapped
in any attempt to improve the unhealthy conditions under which
many infants exist. To begin with it is absolutely essential that
we should be in possession of the knowledge of every birth that
occurs in the Borough with the least possible delay. Repeated