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INFANTILE MORTALITY.
The figures for infantile mortality are very interesting. Few
will belittle the earnest efforts made by the Council in measures for
its diminution. They come under the categories of payment of
increased grants to voluntary centres, sympathetic and discriminating
administration of the Milk Orders, grants to hostels and
institutions whose especial care was for the well-being of the
illegitimate mother and her infant, and the extended arrangements
concluded with nursing associations, whereby aid in this direction
was more readily available and over a larger area.
There is, then, a decided reduction in the infantile deaths, and
the enthusiasts of the Maternity and Child Welfare will not
unnaturally take credit to themselves for some, if not all, of this.
While not wishing to deprive them of .apparently ehared by the majority of Medical Officers, they will have
a much better case if, after a hot summer and a severe winter, there
as still the improvement that they claim to be due to the widespread
adoption of their ideals. The mortality for Camberwell per
1,000 births ie 71, compared with 82 in 1919 and 102 in 1918,
taking into account the legitimate with the illegitimate. For the
illegitimate births, of which there were 238, the mortality was 176.
The rate for the County of London is given as 76 for all births.
The difference ie often commented upon, but it seems
unnecessary to express surprise that it should exist, for it must be
admitted that the illegitimate child is unusually unwanted, and
starts handicapped from the moment of conception. Compared
with other Boroughs, Camberwell is bracketed with the City of
London as tenth on the list. Last year it was equal to Fulham,
and was then sixth. There were 526 deaths of children under
1 year, compared with 437 in 1919, but as there were some 2,000
more births, the mortality rate shows a decrease.
In view of the claims that are made on all sides as to the value
of the Infant and Mother Welfare Centres, it is interesting to compare
some of the figures with last year, although, owing to the
increased number of the infantile population, 1920 should be expected
to have more deaths.
Premature births caused 98 deaths, compared with the same
number in 1919; atrophy, debility, &c., 88, against 57; bronchitis, 45,
against 30; pneumonia, 93, against 54 ; diarrhœa and enteritis, 64,
against 87. Tuberculous disease caused 11 deaths, being 7 less than
in 1919. Measles and whooping cough, on the contrary, were both
in excess of last year. Six deaths were ascribed to overlaying, a
cause preventable in the true sense of the word.
Number of births notified during the year 1920 under the
Notification of Births Act, 7,707.
Number sent in by the Registrar-General, 7,795.