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28
the very worst cases. Should Mr. Lloyd George's
praiseworthy effort prove successful, and his Invalidity
Bill become law, the proposed 30s. maternity allowance
will go far towards the solution of the infantile mortality
problem in Bethnal Green.
Dr. Arthur Newsholme, the Chief Medical Officer of
the Local Government Board, has recently issued a
most valuable report upon the subject under consideration.
Dr. Newsholme points out that excessive infant
mortality implies excessive child mortality, which is
continued into adult life, that is to say, numbers of
infants maimed by illness survive the first year of life
but subsequently succumb and swell the mortality of
after years. Dr. Newsholme says in his report
"Insanitation, including overcrowding, is a serious cause
of disease, and disease in its turn is an important cause of
poverty Hence, by a vigorous campaign against the conditions
producing disease, such poverty can be prevented;
alcoholism and consequent neglect of children can be
diminished, and child mortality can be lowered. And this
remains true, although it is also true that poverty, alcoholism
and moral defects are fertile sources of excessive child
mortality. A vicious circle has one excellent virtue: it can
be snapped at different points, as opportunity serves, and the
sequence of events can thus be inhibited. The greatest hope
of success is secured when workers at different parts of the
circle co-operate for the common end."
The remedies recommended by Dr. Newsholme are
A more detailed investigation of all deaths
occurring in infancy, with a view to ascertaining
the exact cause thereof for future guidance;
enquiries into the circumstances of still-births;