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15
Infantile Mortality.
The deaths of children under one year of age to 1,000 births were 53.4
against 102 for the whole of London.
The Table of infantile mortality on p. 17 shows the deaths of children
under one year arranged according to monthly age periods. From this it
will be seen that no less than 64.2 per cent. of these deaths occurred in the
first month, 71.4 per cent. within the first three months, and 78.5 per cent.
during the first six months of existence.
The work under the Notification of Births Act has been continued during
the year. Two hundred and twenty-one births were notified, including seven
still-births. Seventy-three other notifications were received relating to
children the parents of whom did not reside in the City, and were forwarded
to the Medical Officers of their respective districts.
Of the 221 City Births
111 were notified by private Medical Practitioners.
69 ,, „ from Hospitals.
21 „ „ by Midwives.
20 „ „ by Parents.
As soon as expedient after a notification has been received, a visit is paid
to the home in order to have a chat with the mother regarding the method
of feeding, and also the clothing and management of the baby.
The mothers have invariably shown a keen interest, and appear glad of the
suggestions which will help to improve the health of the baby, and at subsequent
visits they have been pleased to tell that the advice has been followed.
They appear to appreciate the interest shown in the welfare of their children.
The visits have aimed at being of educational value. If at a visit the
advice tendered to a mother is a series "Do this" and "Don't do that," the
greatest good from the visit will not be obtained; the reasons must be clearly
explained why certain advice should be followed, and why many old-fashioned
practises are unwise. The opportunity which an official visitor has of
speaking to the women in a friendly way in their own homes is most
valuable.
The visits allow of instruction on simple points in physiology—such
knowledge should help a mother in making sensible decisions in the many
difficulties which are bound to arise in matters of health in the subsequent
years of childhood.
It is gratifying to record that the mothers are realizing the necessity of
providing their children with warm clothing. Woollen and flannel garments
being now frequently used from the birth of the child. They have in many