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The supply of sterilised milk during the hot months of the year might
assist in the reduction of diarrhoea, but probably any benefit which has
resulted from its use is due to the fact that it is supplied in clean
bottles, each containing sufficient for one feed only, and thus the chance
of contamination of the milk is much reduced rather than to the milk
being sterilised. So long as those in charge of the children are dirty
and careless, even this method will not prevent contamination of the
milk. Unfortunately there are many mothers who are unable to.
nourish their children; there are other who do not try, or who decline
to do so. In these circumstances, parents have to be taught to modify
cow's milk, so that it may become suitable. In the majority of instances
this can be done at home, but there are cases in which no simple
modification of the milk will enable it to be digested. For these it is
desirable that there should be facilities whereby parents may obtain
skilled advice, and, if necessary, have a prescription of the food ordered,
made up. This is necessary in such cases, as sometimes very minute
modifications in the amount of the various constituents have to be made
before a food can be obtained upon which the child will thrive. The
establishment in Vincent Square of the Infant Hospital will doubtless
be of material benefit to parents in Westminster.
The objects of the hospital are to carry out systematically the
treatment and scientific study of infantile malnutrition, and to afford
medical practitioners and students adequate opportunity for becoming
practically acquainted with the factors governing infantile nutrition; to
train infant nurses; and, generally, to investigate in the fullest possible
manner the diseases and disorders of infants arising from primary
malnutrition.
Further particulars on the subject are given below under the.
headings of " Deaths under one year of age " and " Diarrhcea."
Deaths.
2,482 deaths were registered in the City in the 52 weeks ending the
29th December, 1906. After deducting 1,055 deaths of non.citizens in
public institutions in the City, and adding those of 790 citizens who died
in other districts, the corrected total is 2,227, and is equivalent to.
an annual rate of 12.8 per 1,000 persons. The London death.rate
for the same period was 15.1, and for England and Wales 15.4.
The rates were in each instance below the average of the preceding
ten years to the following extent: The City 3.1 per 1,000, London
2.2 per 1,000, and England and Wales 1.4 per 1,000.