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being wholly and 51 partially breast-fed. Italians numbered 55, 36
being wholly and 11 partially breast-fed.
The following notes are of interest:—
"The Italian residents in Soho are usually of a respectable class, who
come from Piedmont, and hope to return there after making sufficient
money in England to enable them to live comfortably in Italy. They
live economically in London, and all take in lodgers. The mothers
keep their babies, as a rule, well, and are an example to our people as
regards preparations for the arrival of the baby. Comforters are not
used in Italy, but, unfortunately, our custom of using them is often
copied. Cradles are always provided, and breast feeding is general.
Poverty is not very apparent.
"Most of the Jewish families recently become residents in Soho
have come from Poland and other parts of Russia. Their standard as
regards cleanliness is a low one. They live in over-crowded rooms
(often taking in lodgers), and bring their children up in excessively
hot rooms. Their point of view is different from that of the Italians,
as they mean to settle in England and rise to a better position. Most
of the men are tailors. As regards the children—they are spoiled by
their parents, who are devoted to them. They suffer more from too
rich and highly-spiced food than from actual want. The infants are
nursed by their mothers for a longer period than is usual with English
mothers.
Infant Consultations.—The Medical Committee of the Western
Provident Dispensary, Rochester Row, S.W., have made arrangements
by which any gratuitous maternity case attended from the Dispensary
is permitted to attend at the Dispensary to receive advice. In Soho
arrangements have also been made which are working very satisfactorily.
Deaths.
2,396 deaths were registered in the City in the 52 weeks ending the
28th December, 1907. After deducting 992 deaths of non-citizens in
public institutions in the City, and adding those of 833 citizens who died
in other districts, the corrected total is 2,237, and is equivalent to
an annual rate of 12.9 per 1,000 persons. The London death-rate
for the same period was 14.6, and for England and Wales 15.0.
The rates were in each instance below the average of the preceding
ten years to the following extent: The City 2.3 per 1,000, London
2.5 per 1,000, and England and Wales l.7 per 1,000.
A Factor for Correction of Death-rates, whereby differences in
the age and sex constitution of the population may be removed