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In addition to the foregoing there were 217 infants removed before twelve
months, viz. :—
1. 33 infants whose mothers were industrially employed either (a) during
pregnancy or (b) after birth, or both.
2. 184 infants whose mothers were not industrially employed either
(a) during pregnancy or (b) after birth.
Note.— The dates of removal of these cases was not ascertainable, as the
final visits were paid at the end of the first year of age of the infant, that
is, during 1909, and the earlier visits were paid in the earliest months of the
first year of age. So that in most cases the intervals between the visits were
very long, other duties not permitting of frequent visits being made.
III.—INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
§ DISCOVERY AND DIAGNOSIS.
It is well to know that unrecognised cases largely spread infectious diseases.
Discovery.—Mild cases of indisposition or disease excite no particular
attention, or are attributed to other than the real cause by parents, guardians,
or friends, and are not submitted to medical examination. In the autumn
there are generally several instances of parents and guardians failing to
recognise as infectious cases of slight disturbances of health in children until
other children become infected and develop typical symptoms.
When cases of suspected infectious diseases occur there is sometimes
considerable difficulty and delay in making an exact medical diagnosis in
certain types of the disea-es. Here bacteriological and additional clinical
examinations are brought to bear upon doubtful types, and to check or confirm
the diagnosis.