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considered to a great extent evidence of the improper feeding and
care of infants, and therefore preventable. Special consideration
has been given to this important subject in this report. I trust
that the greater facilities we now possess for obtaining information
in regard to these diseases, consequent upon the appointment of
Women Sanitary Inspectors and the possession of returns giving
particulars of recorded births, will enable us to adopt measures
which it is hoped will do much to prevent the sacrifice of infant
life.
The mortality in relation to consumption is also worthy
of notice. In this Borough the death-rate attributable to this
disease amounted to 0.84 per 1,000 persons living at all ages, the
lowest rate in London with the exception of Hampstead, which
was 0.83 per 1,000.
The above figures are very satisfactory. They show that
with the exception of Hampstead, Lewisham holds the highest
position amongst the London Boroughs. If we compare the
mortality figures due to consumption in Lewisham with those of
the 76 Great Towns in England and Wales, we find that only four
towns have a lower death-rate, viz.: Hornsey, King's Norton,
Willesden, and Handsworth.
Infectious disease was less frequent than in the preceding
year, 552 cases occurring compared with 832 in L903. We have
further evidence that of the persons attacked with Scarlet Fever
the majority, 54 per cent. of the total, were children of 6 years
old and under, and in Diphtheria 44 per cent. of the attacks
occurred at the same age period. This furnishes an urgent
reason for raising the school attendance age, the necessity for
which I have frequently urged.
I am pleased to report that the staff of the Department
have carried out their duties most satisfactorily. A tabulated
summary of the work of the Inspectors is set out in Table 28.