London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Wandsworth 1915
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]
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| Method of Feeding. | Age in Months. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 and under 3. | 3 and under 6. | 6 and under 9. | 9 and under 12. | Total. | |
| 4.—Breast-fed only | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 11 |
| Do. and cows' milk | 2 | 3 | |||
| Do. and condensed milk | 1 | 1 | |||
| Do. and food | 1 | ||||
| 7 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 27 | |
| Do. and food | 1 | 5 | 6 | ||
| 3.—Condensed milk only | 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 12 |
| Do. and food | 1 | 4 | 4 | 9 | |
| 4.—Dried milk | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 5.—Farinaceous and other foods | 3 | 2 | 5 | ||
| 6.—Unknown | 5 | 7 | 3 | 2 | '7 |
| Totals | 21 | 30 | 26 | 21 | 98 |
Of the total of 81 children who died from these diseases where
the exact nature of the food given was ascertaiaed, only 11, or
13.5 per cent were nursed by the mother without the addition of
any other food, and of these one died in the first three months.
In 33, or 40.7 per cent., cows' milk, either alone or with farinaceous
food was given; in 21 or 25.9 per cent., condensed milk
only or condensed milk and farinaceous food was given; while in
six dried milk only was given. In 17 cases, from various causes
no information could be obtained.
Of the 98 deaths, 26 died in the Union Infirmary, 16 in hospitals
outside the Borough, and 12 had been in attendance at hospitals
previous to their death for Marasmus or Debility and kindred
complaints.