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75
notification forms. It was given this year in the cases
only of 11 stillborn boys, and 17 stillborn girls, of whom
five were one of twins.
The visitation of infants continues to disclose a
large and increasing amount of poverty and distress in
the district. This fact is mentioned annually in my
report; but it should always be borne in mind when our
birth rate, infantile mortality rate, or sickness rate is
under consideration, because it would appear that the
dire and sordid poverty in which many of the people
spend the greater part, if not all, of their lives, is the
very root from which spring many of the difficulties
we have to cope with. Many mothers are found to be
really suffering from want of sufficient and proper food,
and naturally the babies suffer too. Cases have been
found where their condition could only be described as
one of starvation. Such steps as were possible have
been taken in every case, to leave these poor ones better
off for our visits. In five somewhat exceptional cases
the baby has been allowed sufficient milk for its food
during at least its first nine months, and each baby has
justified the effort made on its behalf. Generous help
has been afforded for some cases (19 in number)
from the fund established in the Borough for necessitous
children; others have been referred to the Guardians
for assistance, and yet others have been helped from
private sources. I am of opinion that if the mothers
could only be properly fed, both before and after the
birth of their infants, the coming generation would be
much better for it. Something of the kind required is
already being done in Paris, and ladies of means in