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same quarter of the following year fell to 15 per 1,000 below that of
London. As compared with the 76 large towns in the third quarter
of the year, the London Infantile Mortality fell from 3 per 1,000
above in 1904, to 11 per 1,000 below in 1905, and to 37 per 1,000 below
in 1906. As compared with England and Wales in the same quarter
the London mortality fell from 42 above to 22 above between 1904
and 1905, and in 1906 fell to 4 below that of England and Wales.
This fall by comparison becomes more significant when it is borne in
mind that during this same period measures for the prevention of
infantile mortality have been taken in many localities.
2.—That, comparing the last three summers, although the temperature
increased in each succeeding year, and the rainfall diminished in
each succeeding year, yet the infant mortality in St. Pancras was
lower each summer than the preceding summer.
3.—That during the warm dry summer of 1906, compared with that of
1965, the infantile mortality of England and Wales rose 21 per 1,000,
of the 76 great towns 23 per 1,000, of the 142 smaller towns 31 per
1,000, and of London 16 per 1,000, whereas that of St. Pancras fell
3 per 1,000.
The measures pursued in St. Pancras have been the discouragement of the
artificial feeding of infants of suckling age and the encouragement of natural
or breast feeding by prompt advice and the personal influence of Women
Inspectors and Women Voluntary Visitors. The efforts tentatively commenced
in 1904 were pursued with greater confidence and thoroughness during 1905,
and have been extended and elaborated during 1906. It was recognised from
the beginning by the Borough Council that woman's sympathy and influence
were essential to success. Your Inspector, Miss Bibby, B.A. (Lond), assisted
in commencing the inquiry, and Miss Gardiner, B.A. (Lond.), assisted in
elaborating the inquiry and the remedial work, and the numerous ladies (some
twenty) kindly acting as voluntary visitors have assisted in extending the work.
The members of the medical, midwifery, and nursing professions have fully
approved and furthered the principles of the scheme adopted by the Borough
Council.
The interesting point to bear in mind is that the lowering of the infantile
mortality has been accomplished without the municipal distribution of milk,
the Borough Council not having established a milk depot, and no such depot
existing in the Borough, and the fall in the mortality rates must be mainly
attributed to the diminished use of cow's milk for infants and the increase of
breast feeding.