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31
The infantile mortality statistics lor Lambeth Borough
during 1908 are remarkable—the lowest ever registered,
and, even allowing for the favourable meteorological conditions
that existed, are worthy of note as shewing that the
methods adopted throughout the Borough of Lambeth for the
prevention of infantile mortality are proving successful. In
this connection the systematic visiting of all houses wherein
births have been registered or notified, and the widespread
distribution of pamphlets on infant-feeding, together with the
influence of the Municipal Milk Depot, must not be forgotten
(vide Milk Depot, pp. 155-162). The results should prove
even more satisfactory as the Notification of Births Act,
1907, becomes more generally known. This Act came into
force within the Borough of Lambeth on March 9th, 1908.
(See Special Report on page 101).
National Conference on Infantile Mortality.
The second Conference* on Infantile Mortality was held
in 1908 (March 24th), at the Caxton Hall, Westminster,
and the Medical Officer attended as the Council's delegate.
The matters dealt with were:—
1. Parental inefficiency, due to (a) ignorance, (b)
poverty, (c) neglect.
2. Foods in relation to Infantile Mortality.
The suggested remedies are :—(1) the education of girls in
the duties of motherhood and their education for motherhood
(actual and potential); (2) the helping of mothers,
who are below the poverty line, and the care of "Poor
Law" babies, illegitimates, and "nursed out" children;
(3) improving the habits of the parents (more especially
those addicted to drink) ; (4) the regulation and control of
Foods and Drugs for the use of Infants.
*The First Conference was held in London in 1906—the Chairman and
Vice-Chairman of the Public Health Committee and the Medical Officer of
Health being the delegates.