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5. A Special Inquiry into the deaths of Infants from Zymotic Diarrhoear
during the months of July, August and September.
6. The compiling of various especial Reports and Statistics, and other
clerical work, in connection with the Infant Inquiry.
To consider the above items, more in detail:—
I.—Distribution of Advice Cards both after and before the birth of the baby.
(a) After the Birth of the baby.
1. An Advice Card was sent by post to the mother of every infant
registered in St. Pancras during the year (a total of about 5,800),
immediately after the receipt of the Birth Returns each week
(average 112 a week).
2. An Advice Card was sent bv post to the mothers attended by the
registered Midwives immediately after the receipt of the London
County Council list of these mothers, which was sent in (from
November, 1905), weekly, within a week or two of the birth (average
18 a week).
(b) Before the Birth of the Baby.
J. Packets of Advice Cards were delivered to the various Hospitals,
Provident Dispensaries, Registered Midwives, Maternity Nursing
Associations, &c., in the district; and at the same time I asked when
the Doctor, Midwife, or Nurse was engaged, some weeks or months
previous to the birth, that the Advice Card (urging the importance
of natural feeding), might be given to the expectant mother.
2. Packets of Advice Cards were sent with a circular letter from you, as-
Medical Officer of Health, to the Clergymen and Ministers of every
Church, Chapel, &c., in St. Pancras, to be placed in the hands of the
Mothers' Meetings, Maternity Missions, &c., so that by this means, too,
the mothers might receive them some time previously, or that a card
might be olaced in each "Maternity bag" given out on the day of
birth.
3. Separate Advice Cards were sent by post or delivered by myself in
response to a special written or verbal request for one, from prospective
mothers who had heard of their distribution, after the birth,,
and had desired to have one earlier.
4. Packets of Advice Cards were delivered by me to the Workhouse
(Maternity Ward), "Homes of Hope," and other Institutions where
unmarried women were received before their confinement.
5. Packets of Advice Cards were also sent to some medical practitioners
wishing to distribute them early to their patients.
II.—Personal Visits to Mothers, after (and occasionally before), the birth of the
child.
During these visits, in the course of conversation, and with asking as few
as possible direct questions, much information as to the condition and
environment of the infant was elicited and entered afterwards upon