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31
There was also a case in which intestinal conditions
were complicated by parturition, but this is not counted
as a case of maternal mortality.
Again I have to point to the serious part played
in maternal mortality and morbidity by attempts to
secure abortion. Into the personal and social aspects
of this subject it is not my particular duty to inquire,
but it is significant that the great majority of these
women are married. Over a long period of years, the
sex morality of the Borough, as measured by the illegitimate
birth rate, has been conspicuously good when
compared with that of more prosperous Boroughs in
other parts of London. One is rather drawn to the
conclusion that the attempts to secure abortion are
mainly due to economic pressure, particularly at a time
of prevalent unemployment and low wages. An
intelligent understanding and practice of birth control
should do much to restrict working class families to
a size commensurate with a reasonable standard of
living for both parents and children. One might hope
in such circumstances for a substantial reduction in the
dangerous practice and serious consequences of criminal
abortion.
Only one of the mothers concerned attended the
Council's Maternity Clinic, and that on a single
occasion.
It cannot be too strongly emphasized that next
to aseptic precautions and skilled attention at the
confinement, adequate pre-natal care is among the most
effective means of reducing the maternal mortality rate.
INFANTILE MORTALITY.
One hundred and eighteen deaths of Bethnal
Green infants under one year of age are reported by
the Registrar-General as having taken place during the
year. This is equal to a rate of infantile mortality of