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111.
be said to appreciate the importance of the subject and to be anxious to make good, so far
as may be possible, the deficiency in the number of children born by active steps to limit
infantile mortality from causes which are largely preventible. It is unnecessary to describe the
methods which have been introduced, some of them admittedly temporary palliatives rather
than cures, but the results have been satisfactory. During the past year the Health Society
has actively co-operated with the Department in this part of its work, not only by undertaking
some of the "health visiting" but also by establishing two "Infant Consultation" centres and
by assisting to secure an adequate supply of good milk for really necessitous children. The
success which has already attended the special efforts made in this Borough is shown by the
following comparison of the rates of infantile mortality.
As regards this Borough infantile mortality rates for all the years since 1875 are on
record. The mean rates for the three quinquennial periods 1875—79, 1896—1900, and 1903—7
were 140, 156 and 121 per 1000 births registered. It will be noticed that in the second period
the rate was 11 per cent, above that for the first, although the general (all ages) death rate
decreased by 8 per cent, from 17.4 to 16.0.

The figures given above show that the decrease in the infantile rate during the last
five years although satisfactory, is still 10 per cent. less than the decrease in the rate at all
ages. Nevertheless the figures afford evidence that the recently inaugurated measures are on
the right lines and that better results may be hoped for as the subject is better understood
and the system better organised.
One specially fatal complaint, i.e., summer diarrhoea, yet remains to be provided
against. Against this last it is hoped to organize a campaign during the current year.
It is a matter for sincere regret that the local health authorities will lose the advantages
which would accrue by the co-ordination of inspection of children and supervision of
home surroundings, there being no prospect of the administration of the Education (Administrative
Provisions) Act, 1907 being connected with the Public Health Department.
There is still much room for improvement in the regulation of food supplies. Additional
restrictions in the use of preservatives and more direct responsibility for placing
diseased meat on the market require to be provided. It is to be hoped that the Local)
Government Board will deal with these points under the Public Health (Regulation of Foods)
Act, 1907.
All the members of the Staff have discharged their respective duties efficiently. Calls
to devote part of their leisure to cope with the inevitable increase in work have been cheerfully
responded to.
It is with pleasure that I record my acknowledgments of the hearty co-operation
which I receive at all times from the Medical Profession of the Borough, and my sincere