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instruction was given in the care, feeding, and nurture of infants.
Contrary to many predictions, a good reception, and in the
majority of cases a hearty welcome was given to the visitor.
The visits were so appreciated that the mothers always asked for
leaflets for distribution amongst friends. Whenever second visits
were paid, it was always found that some attempt had been
made to carry out the teaching given. Simple homely talks
were given to gatherings of women on such topics as fresh air,
refuse disposal, care, feeding and management of infants, measles,
summer diarrhoea, &c.
Any person can secure the services of the Officer by request
at the Borough Health Department, and a practical demonstration
of the success and value of the undertaking is shown by
the large number of relatives, friends and neighbours who now
report births and illnesses of babies, and who make requests for
visits. I have not yet received a complete table of statistics
from the Medical Officer of Health ; but he told me that in
August, 1897, the deaths from diarrhoea numbered 38, while in
August, 1898, they only numbered 17, a decrease of over 50 per
cent., whereas in our own district there was an increase of nearly
25 per cent. This was undoubtedly due to the fact that the
mean temperature in August, 1898, was very much higher than
in August, 1897. The higher the temperature the greater is the
number of deaths from Summer Diarrhoea, and vice versâ.
Therefore a reduction of over 50 per cent. speaks volumes for
the work that is done, and can be done in this direction, to lessen
the large number of infants' lives that are sacrificed annually.
The only other practical suggestion that I can make is to
have pamphlets printed, with instructions to mothers how to rear
and bring up children, and that these pamphlets should be
handed to the local Registrars, to be distributed by them whenever
births are registered. This latter plan cannot, of course,
compare with that adopted at Chesterfield. The only advantage
it has, however, is that it is not so expensive.
I am,
Your obedient servant,
Board's Offices:- D. L. THOMAS.
White Horse Street, E.