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The death-rate among infants during the first month of life (neo-natal period) has risen from
28-2 per cent, of total deaths in 1936 to 32-3 per cent, in 1937. The most frequent cause of death
in this group is prematurity, and a large proportion of the infants were illegitimate. Several factors
contribute to the high mortality rate among illegitimate infants ; they are concealed pregnancy and
lack of ante-natal supervision, the frequency with which attempts to procure abortion are made,
and the fact that the mother often works until late in pregnancy and recommences work shortly
after confinement which necessitates weaning of the infant.
In the group of deaths between one and 12 months, diseases of the respiratory tract (pneumonia
and bronchitis) have increased, this being partly due to the influenza epidemic during the early
months of the year.
The number of deaths from enteritis has remained stationary. The council have continued to
direct special attention to the subject and a second intensive educational and publicity campaign
was held during the summer months. The existing scheme for treatment of cases of diarrhoea by
the district nurses under the direction of Dr. Ronald Carter has continued successfully during the
year. Investigations are being made by the council's bacteriologist to increase knowledge of the
pathology of the disease. It is noteworthy that in the investigation of all infant deaths from enteritis
during the last two years only four babies were found to be wholly breast-fed at the onset of the
illness. This emphasises the danger of artificial feeding in an unsatisfactory home environment,
and propaganda is constantly directed by the council's staff to influence public opinion on this
point.
The preventive aspect of medicine is stressed at the sessions held at the welfare centres by the
council's medical officers, and this teaching is carried into the homes by the health visiting staff.
A special watch is kept for the early signs of rickets or anaemia in the infant and toddler, and the
child prone to catarrh receives special attention. The importance of diet, hygiene, proper clothing
and fresh air are constantly taught.
In regard to the curative side of medicine, every mother attending an infant welfare centre is.
advised of the wisdom of having a family doctor and the council's medical officers try to work in
constant co-operation with the private medical practitioners ; a close co-operation also exists between
the welfare centres and the baby hospital, the Princess Louise hospital and other children's hospitals
serving the borough. The baby clinic, with its auxiliary treatment clinic in Kenley Street, provides
advice and treatment for dietetic and allied disorders and treatment of minor ailments for the
children of necessitous parents who are referred here from the welfare centres ; massage, artificial
sunlight and dental treatment are also given.
The number of individual children attending the Kensington infant welfare centres for supervision
has increased from 4,803 in 1936 to 4,985 in 1937. Twenty-one infant consultation sessions
are held each week by the council's whole-time medical officers who have special experience in the
feeding and care of infants and toddlers. Frequent and regular home visiting is carried out by
the health visitors. Milk and cod liver oil are provided free by the council for the children of
necessitous parents in order to maintain health. Massage and artificial sunlight treatment are
available within close reach of the children's homes. The baby hospital and a children's hospital
are situated in the borough. Convalescent homes are available for delicate children.
The health services provided by the council are adequate and comprehensive. The principal
difficulty in the reduction of the infant death-rate lies in the migrant character of many very poor people
who come to live in the north of the borough. The large number of tenement rooms available in
the neighbourhood attracts families with insufficient means to rent a small house or flat ; their
poverty causes them constantly to move their lodging and makes it difficult for the council's officers
to exert a lasting educational influence.