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40
INFANTILE MORTALITY.

* Including "Enteritis" and "Epidemic Enteritis."
During the year 59 cases of fatal diarrhoea in infants were investigated bv the Inspectors.*
This being the first occasion of such investigation the results are not so complete as might
be desired, such as they are, they afford food for reflection.
Of the 59 deceased infants, 13 only were breast fed, the remainder (46) having various
substitutes :—
27 being fed on diluted cows' milk,
10 „ condensed milk.
7 „ a mixture of milks, &c.
2 „ patent foods.
The type of bottle in use was noted in 10 out of the 46 cases—in 19, the long tube
bottle was used (in some instances, in spite of medical advice to use tubeless bottles), and in
21, the boat-shaped tubeless bottle. As the inquiries were not instituted until some days
after death, no useful information was obtained of the state of the bottles, or of the causes
of the diarrhœa. In 3 cases, however, there was evidence pointing to direct infection
of the patient from earlier cases of the disease occurring in the house.
The provision for storing the infant's food, whatever be its nature (other than breast
milk), is of vital importance. It is a significant fact that the Inspectors report that, "of the
59 homes inspected only 9 could be said to possess proper accommodation for the storage of
food." Milk is best kept exposed to the air, but protected bv a fold of muslin, and where
suitably placed as regard sun, the window-ledge is admirably suited for standing milk.
Wherever kept, milk should be protected from dust and flics. On this, the Inspectors report,
"We frequentlv find a family's whole stock of perishable food fully exposed to the attacks of
flies, which always seem to patronise chiefly the babv's milk, especially if it be of the condensed
and sweetened order. A more sickening sight can scarcely be imagined." The danger
attaching to flies will be apparent, when it is remembered that dust-holes and refuse heaps
are their breeding grounds and natural habitations. It is well known to scientists that the
legs of flies are especially adapted for carrying micro-organisms from place to place. There
can be no doubt that the provision of a suitable larder to eacli tenement should be
insisted on.
In 16 cases the mothers had to go out to work and leave the child to the care of other
persons. Three of the deceased infants were "nurse children" and 6 in all were stated to
be illegitimate.
As regards "housing," 11 deaths occurred in homes of one room, the number of
occupants of a home ranging from 2 to 1 persons (adults and children in about equal proportions);
21 in homes of two rooms (inhabited by 3 to 8 persons); 15 in homes of three
rooms (occupants from 4 to 8 persons); and 1 in a home of four rooms (1 persons occupying
the same). In other words, 50 out of the 59 deaths investigated occurred in homes of less
* Miss Nicolas and Miss O'Kell.