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33
In the first of these tables (M.), the information obtained is
arranged in relation to cause of death, and in the second (N.),
according to age at death. Both are of great interest in different
connections.
The points regarding which information was sought in each case
investigated, are shown in the tables, and certain of these call for
further reference.
Method of Feeding.— Of the total 221 cases, 71 were breastfed
entirely; 21 partly. The number artificially fed was 107; not
fed at all, 22.
The percentage of breast-fed children who died was 32. Especially
low is the percentage of children dying of diarrhoea fed on
the breast, viz., 2 out of 55. Of 15 cases of death due to suffocation
in bed, 11 were breast-fed infants, which rather supports the
view that death, in many of these cases, results from the fact
that the mother goes to sleep while the nipple is still in the baby's
mouth, and death follows either because the breast presses over the
baby's nose and mouth, or the mother rolls over upon the child.
The same conclusion is possible from the figures for the past five
years contained in Table O. on page 35.
Of 30 children who died of wasting (marasmus and atrophy),
13 were fed artificially, 7 not at all, and only 10 on the breast.
A very interesting column of figures is that headed, "Reasons
for Weaning." The smallness of the number (7) of those mothers
who had to wean on account of work is noteworthy. Loss of milk
and ill-health were the principal causes.
Mother's Health.— Of the dead children, 137—or 61 per
cent.—had healthy mothers; 62—or 28 per cent.—of the mothers
had indifferent, and 22—or 11 per cent.—bad health. These
figures seem to vary little from year to year. The largest number
of unhealthy mothers—8 out of 33—was found amongst those
children who died of prematurity.