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a steady fall. It is quite possible that the fall which started about
1885, and which may be held to indicate an improvement in the
general health of the then living children, did not begin to show
appreciable effect on the infantile mortality till 1901, when those
who were children in 1885, in 1901 had reached the age of child
production.
Taking London as an example, although the fall commenced in
1901, with a set-back in 1904, the first mention in Sir Shirley
Murphy's Report comes in the latter year, and not until later on
(1911) did the efforts obtain to any widespread extent. In fact, it
was not until 1914 that, following on pressure from the Local
Government Board, Maternity Committees began to be established
in wide measure, and their existence had become fairly general in 1917.
In spite of this delayed general adoption of the proposition the fall
continued without check until 1911, and since then has shown a zigzag
of falls and rises, but the mean of 142.7 was never once exceeded.
No doubt it will be said that the appointment of health visitors was
largely responsible for this, but Camberwell, which had made no
appointment of health visitors who preceded the Centres, shared
in the decline in practically identical amount with its fellows.
Some would go so far as to measure the amount of good done
by the health visitors appointed. If this is to be the criterion, Camberwell
should indeed cut a sorry figure.
A neighbouring Borough where there is official health visiting,
in 1911 (a bad year) had a rate figure of 123 to Camberwell's 109,
while in 1912 it was reduced to 86 in the former and 83 in the latter,
and in 1921 went down to 76 in the first and 74 in the second.
Many factors are probably at work, the improvement in housing,
the diminution of smoke, improved conditions of workplaces, while
within more recent years a higher standard of living, increased
out-door exercises among school children and adults, and the increased
attention to sobriety, personal health and fresh air must
all be powerful factors in giving a healthier stock to breed from.
Any good effect also of the medical inspection of school attendants
may also be instanced as a cause, for some of the children who were
scholars a dozen years ago are now at the child-producing age, and
any improvement brought about then must have some effect on the
physique of the present father and mother. A homely illustration
may be seen in the condition of teeth, apart from the dental
exhibitions seen in the illustrated newspapers. Wherever one
travels in London one is struck by the great improvement that has
taken place, especially within the last few years. The old condition
of decayed and tartar-crowned teeth, judging by what one can see
by a casual glance, has practically disappeared, and even where
artificial dentures are not worn much care is evidently bestowed
on the mouth. Apart from this there is the noticeably improved
physique of the girls and young women.
The distribution of milk, whether by the Milk Orders or in the
form of dried milk, as an assistance to many a struggling home
must also take its place.