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7
treatment of measles may be said to have reduced the mortality
from measles; which fact shows the value of institutional care
of infectious diseases especially in Poor Law cases.
Deaths in Public Institutions.
585 deaths in Public Institutions outside the Borough of
persons belonging to Deptford are included in estimating the
vital statistics in this Report. In 1911 the number dying in
these institutions was rather less than in 1910, and the fact is
an interesting one, as something may be learned of the social
conditions of a locality when so large a proportion in times of
sickness seek refuge in public institutions, more especially in
the workhouses. Generally this implies poverty and want, but
it may also, and no doubt does, imply that the institutions have
a good reputation, and attract sufferers to them.
Infant Mortality.
Every extended inquiry into the intricate subject of infant
mortality brings to light the fact that parents living apparently
under the same social and sanitary conditions, have varying
success in rearing their childlen, and that the personal factor
deserves a careful study. Poverty and riches, sanitary or
insanitary conditions, occupation or the want of it, high
birth-rate or low, all play their part in bringing these variations
about. Infant Consultations and Depots for giving advice to
mothers, which have been under my consideration, may have
an active and useful future before them in the Borough,
whether instituted as a private enterprise, as a Municipal
undertaking, or as an extension of local medical institutions.
This year's infantile mortality is considerably higher—
20 per 1000, than the previous year—but the circumstances
were exceptional, and with the increased staff of Health Visitors
which the Council has sanctioned I have every hope of a satisfactory
infantile mortality for 1912.