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Of the 147 deaths of infants during the year, inquiries were made and
details obtained by the lady Inspector respecting 121. Of the 121, 19 died,
principally from premature birth and congenital defects, before food, or very
little food was taken. Of the remaining 102, 55 or 53.9 per cent. were
artificially fed. Of these only 10 were fed with tube bottles, 39 with boat bottles,
and 6 with a spoon. Only 7 mothers worked in factory or workshop ; 14 others
did charing, selling flowers, or other work outside the home, and 7 were engaged
in homework; the remaining 93 being engaged only in their own household
duties.
Of the 37 deaths from diarrhœal diseases during the year, all but 5 are
reported to have been artificially fed, and of these 5, three were 10 months old,
and one 9 months at death, and these probably had some artificial feeding.
In the summer months, July to September inclusive, out of 39 inquiries
respecting deaths of infants under one year of age, 6 died within a day or two
of birth on account of premature birth or congenital defects; 11 were naturally
fed, and of these 4 died from measles, 1 from whooping cough, 3 from bronchopneumonia,
and the remaining 2 from diarrhœa, one aged 10 months and the
other one month. The remaining 22 were artificially fed, i.e., 66.7 per cent.
of the 33 who survived more than a day or two were artificially fed.
Of the 20 deaths from diarrhceal diseases, 18 or 90 per cent. were artificially
fed.
Care and Feeding of Infants.
With a view of diminishing the preventable infantile mortality in the
Borough, in 548 of the 1149 births of residents of the Borough, where the mothers
lived in lodging houses or tenements, visits have been made by the lady Sanitary
Inspector, and inquiries made as to the number and condition of the rooms
occupied; the number of other children that have been born, including the
number that have died; the nature of food given to the infant, and the method
of feeding; whether the child sleeps in a cot or not, and the occupation of the
mother. If thought desirable, instructions are given respecting the care and
feeding of the child, and a leaflet left. Notices are also served for any sanitary
defects that may be found.
Of the 548 that were visited during the year only 69, or 12.4 per cent., were
being artificially fed.
of the 69 that were artificially fed :—
17 were so fed from birth.
13 before the end of the second week.
10 partly so fed before the end of the second week, i.e., in
40 out of 69, or 58 per cent., artificial feeding was begun
before the end of the second week.