View report page

50
1909]
In making inquiries respecting the deaths from Diarrhoea during the last
three years, it was found that in 41 instances in 1907, 18 had used a bottle
with a tube. In 1908, the first year in which these instructions were issued,
it was found that in 63 cases of death 29 infants used similar bottles; and
in 1909, out of 33 deaths, 18 had been fed from them. These figures show that
in 1907, when no cards of instructions were sent out, 43.9 per cent, of the
infants had been fed from a tube bottle; in 1908, the first year the cards were
distributed, the figures rose to 46 per cent, and in 1909 they further increased
to 54.5 per cent. This is a melancholy fact, and seems to indicate that
instructions without visits are of very little use.
This inquiry respecting these diarrhoeal deaths has also brought out the
significant fact that whereas only 13 children had been breast fed, 124 had
been fed artificially. Thus 72 had been given cows' milk only, 19 condensed
milk only, 7 artificial foods only, 12 had cows' milk in addition to the breast,
2 had condensed milk therewith, 4 had artificial food with the breast and 6
had mixed foods. It would be interesting to know why these 124 children
had been brought up artificially, because the inquiry showed that in 94
instances the health of the mother was good, and in 19 moderate, but not
sufficiently bad to prevent her nursing her child, while in 22 instances it was bad.
It could not be because they were employed at work, for it was found that 96 had
no occupation, and 38 had either part or whole time occupation outside their
own homes. It is not too much to suppose that if Health Visitors had conversed
with these women, many of them would have brought up their children
as nature intended they should, for their intelligence would have been
awakened and their ignorance dispelled. As this matter is of so much consequence,
the full particulars of the enquiries for each of these years are given on
pages 52 and 53.
It must be apparent to everyone who studies these figures that if breast
feeding were universal, there would be very little summer diarrhoea, and, therefore,
an enormous reduction in the infantile mortality that occurs in the
hot season of the year from this disease alone.
This country has been fortunate beyond all expectation during the last few
years in having cool summers with ample rainfall, but it is not to be supposed
that such a state of affairs will long continue. It is, therefore, all the more
necessary that Islington should follow the example of all the great