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113
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
Of the total of 114 children who died from these diseases where
the exact nature of the food given was ascertained, only 15, or
13.1 per cent. were nursed by the mother without the addition of
any other food, and of these 10 died in the first three months.
In 53, or 46.5 per cent., cows' milk, either alone or with farinaceous
food was given; in 38 or 33.3 per cent., condensed milk
only or condensed milk and farinaceous food was given; while in
one dried milk only was given. In 18 cases, from various causes
no information could be obtained.
Of the 132 deaths 57 occurred in the Union Infirmaries, and
26 in hospitals outside the Borough, a much greater proportion than
last year.
Of the 132 deaths from Diarrhœa, 39 died in the Union
Infirmary, and 19 died in hospitals.
Of the cases in which no information was available, two were
found to be wrong addresses, in seven cases the families had removed,
three infants died outside London, and three illegitimate children,
of whom two were twins, were born in the Workhouse and died in
the Infirmary and so were not visited. In one case the father
refused to give any information.
Of the contributory causes to the infants' deaths it may be
noted that in two cases the mothers had Puerperal Fever, in one
of which the mother died the day before the child.
Six mothers were very delicate, and two suffered from Tuberculosis,
and the infant of one of these was born with facial paralysis.
Two infants had Tuberculosis, one having Tuberculous
Meningitis.
11 infants had chronic indigestion and bowel troubles, and 11
had previous attacks of Diarrhœa before the fatal one.