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The deaths under one year of age in these wards, in 1903, were 366: the Infantile Mortalityrate
(i.e. the proportion of deaths under one year to 1,000 registered births) being 167; viz., 143,
166, and 190, respectively; compared with 109 in Pembridge, 131 in Holland, 126 in Earl's Court,
57 in Queen's Gate, 97 in Redcliffe, and 66 in Brompton. The rate for the borough as a whole
was 143, the London rate being 131.
The subject was referred by the Public Health Committee to a sub-committee, for whose
further information I supplemented the foregoing particulars of child mortality, showing—
1. That diarrhceal mortality was excessive in the three wards relatively to the other wards.
Thus in 1903, out of 74 deaths under one year from this cause, registered between July
12th and December 5th, 67 occurred in North Kensington (population 92,030); 63 of them
in the three wards—St. Charles 25, Golborne 20, Norland 18. In 1904, out of 86 deaths
under one year from this cause, between June 19th and September 10th, 75 were
registered in the three wards—St. Charles 22, Golborne 36 and Norland 17. The
population of the three wards being 41 per cent. of that of the borough, as a whole;
and their infantile diarrhceal mortality 85 per cent.
2. Of the deaths in the borough from measles, 83 per cent., and of the deaths from whoopingcough,
80 per cent., were registered in the three wards—all with one or two exceptions
of children under five years of age.
3. The zymotic death-rate in the three wards was excessive: 2.8 per 1,000 of the population
in St. Charles Ward; 3'4 per 1,000 in Golborne, and 2T per 1,000 in Norland; the rate
in the remaining six wards ranging downwards, from 1.2 per 1,000 in Pembridge, to 0.8 in
Holland and Earl's Court, 0.6 in Redcliffe, 0.2 in Queen's Gate, and zero in Brompton.
4. The notifications of infectious diseases in the three wards (410) were 56 per cent, of the
total number; those from the other six wards (328), 44 per cent. only.
5. Of the notifications of consumption, 74 per cent, came from the three wards.
6. The general death-rate of the three wards, in 1903, was 17'8 per 1,000 living (St. Charles
15.2, Golborne 18.0, Norland 20.8); that of the rest of the borough being 10.9 per 1,000.
The conditions generally in the three wards were thus obviously such as to justify, and
require, a special effort on the part of the health authority to bring about a reduction in the amount
of infantile mortality—in other words to continue and extend the work already being carried out by
the Lady Inspectors.
The specific recommendation made to the Public Health Committee was, that three Health
Visitors, with the status of Sanitary Inspector, should be appointed; and the sub-committee reported
in favour of this proposal; but ultimately the Public Health Committee presented a report as
follows—
We have had before us, pursuant to the reference by the Council of the 16th February
last, the appendix to the report of the Medical Officer of Health, dated 4th February, 1904,
under the heading " Infantile Diarrhceal Mortality, 1903," together with a memorandum on
the subject subsequently prepared by that Officer; and having carefully considered as to the
steps which should be taken to reduce, as far as possible, the high rate of infantile mortality
which does undoubtedly exist in parts of Kensington, we are ot opinion that it is desirable,
temporarily to appoint a properly qualified woman to act in the capacity of " Health Visitor,"
at a salary not exceeding £2 per week, and to circulate leaflets for the guidance of mothers
with regard to the feeding, clothing, &c., of young children, and the management of the home.
We recommend—
That, subject to the submission bv the Finance Committee of the necessary estimate,
the proposal as to the temporary appointment of one Health Visitor
be acted upon, and that it be referred to us to prepare leaflets, and generally
to formulate the details of a scheme to give effect to the new departure.
The report was adopted by the Council on the 20th December; a Lady Health Visitor was
appointed early in the current year, and a "leaflet" was prepared containing " Advice for the
guidance of Mothers on the Feeding and Care of their Babes."