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leading to a further fall in the birth-rate, or (b) by increasing the
poverty of the household, and so—through worse feeding, &c.—
leading, to an increase in the infant death-rate.
In Westminster, part of the Strand Parliamentary Borough appeared
best suited to the purpose of such an inquiry, especially the wards of
Great Marlborough, Regent, St. Anne and Covent Garden. The number
of children born in these wards during 1908 was 565, but a few above
a certain standard were excluded, and later there were eliminated a
large number who moved away from the district before twelve months
had elapsed from the date of birth. In each of the 459 remaining, the
families were visited regularly by the visitors of the Health Society
during the twelve months. The Home Office supplied forms which had
to be filled up with details relating to the infant, the family, and the
dwelling. There has also been supplied a series of tables, whereby
analyses and summaries may be prepared.
In the area selected, it was found possible to divide the families into
two groups. Group I, in which the husbands are tailors, and Group II,
in which the husbands follow any other occupation. An analysis of
the nationality of these groups shows that in Group I, 78.7 percent. are
foreigners, nearly all Jews (Russian and Polish), and 213 percent. are
British. In Group II, 27.5 percent. are foreigners (half being Italian,
the others of various nationalities) and 72.5 percent. British.
In Group I a total of 150 cases has been analysed. 57 percent. of
the mothers were found not to be industrially employed, 40.4 percent.
work at home, i.e., helping their husbands, and 2.6 percent. work in a
factory or workshop. In those not employed, 97.6 percent. of the
children survive the first year, 1.2 percent. died during the first year,
and 12 percent. were still-born. In those working at home 86.9 percent.
of the children survive the first year, 11.4 percent. died during
the first year, and 1.6 percent. were still-born. The wives in many
cases employ a servant to look after the baby while they work in the
business, as this is much cheaper than employing another hand. These
figures show a great saving of infantile life in those not industrially
employed.
As to the feeding in those cases where the mother was not employed,
65.5 percent. were breast-fed for six months or over. 11.8 percent.
were breast-fed for two or three months, and 16'8 percent. were breastfed
for under one month, 2.4 percent. partially breast-fed and 38
percent. were artificially fed entirely. In those cases where the mother
works at home, 58.5 percent. were breast-fed for six months or over,
13 percent. were breast-fed for two or three months, and 20.7 percent.
were breast-fed for under one month; 5.7 percent. were partially
breast-fed and 19 percent. were artificially fed entirely.