London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Paddington 1897

Report on vital statistics and sanitary work for the year 1897

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many deprived of as much as 95 per cent, of the
natural fat (cream)—the marvel is rather that so
many children survive their trials than that so many
die. Sanitary supervision can do much towards
mitigating this scourge, but more must be done by
the individual parent. The most effective means of
obviating the annual loss of life from diarrhoea are the
instruction of girls in the need of real cleanliness in
the home, and the abandonment of artificial feeding.
DEATHS OF ILLEGITIMATES.
The deaths of 47 illegitimate children were registered
during the year, 36 under 1 year of age, 9 at
ages between 1 and 5 years, and 2 at ages exceeding
5 years. Of the 47 deaths, 38 were registered in
North Paddington, and 9 in South. The mortality
among illegitimate children under 1 year was at the
rate of 336 per 1,000 illegitimate births, as compared
with a rate of 141 among legitimate children. The
appended statement shows the numbers of deaths due
to certain causes, and the occupations of the mothers
of the children. The death of one infant was registered
without certificate from medical practitioner or
coroner's inquest.