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During the course of investigation the following facts emerged,
which are of interest. Of the 66 deaths under 2 years of age, 76 per
cent. occurred in institutions. Of the 34 deaths occurring during the
first month, 2 of these babies were found abandoned, and 15 per cent.
of the mothers had not received ante-natal supervision. Of the 26
deaths between one month and one year, 50 per cent. had never attended
an infant welfare centre.
Of the 37 still births, 34 of the mothers had received ante-natal
supervision, either by general practitioners, at hospitals, or at the
Council's Clinics.
There were 19 deaths of illegitimate children under two years of
age, which represents a Mortality Rate of 84 per 1,000 illegitimate
births as compared with 25 for legitimate children.
School Entrants.
In order that information relating to the early nurture and illnesses
of children and to the general home conditions, may be made available
for the School Medical Officer, records relating to the health of school
entrants are entered on special cards supplied by the London County
Council for that purpose, which are forwarded to the County School
Medical Officer.
Through the kindness of the Medical Officer of Health and
School Medical Officer of the London County Council, I am enabled
to submit the following tables, showing the results of routine examinations
of 588 elementary school entrants in Hampstead during 1938.
I am also informed of any school children in the Borough who are
found, at the routine School Medical Inspection, to be slightly below
normal, or bad, so far as their nutritional condition is concerned.
Special enquiries are made at their homes to ascertain whether or not
there are any children under school age similarly ill-nourished who
may, by chance, be unknown to my Health Visitors.