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15
The facts revealed by these two differ little, if at all, from those to which
attention has been directed in previous years. The distribution of the deaths as
regards causes, age periods, and districts is much the same as last; is indeed, much
the same year after year.
Any variations are largely in relation to the figures, the proportions and percentages
remaining practically the same.
In 1912, for example, 82 of the babies who died were aged less than one month.
For 1911, the figure was 76.
The total number of children who died before reaching the age of three months,
in 1912, was 110, about half the total number of deaths.
In 1911, 144 out of 261 were under three months old at death.
In connection with distribution of the deaths it was shown in 1911 that Christ
Church was the district to suffer most, because there were to be found conditions
inimical to infant life, viz., poverty and overcrowding. Again, in 1912, the same fact
is to be noted, 108 of the deaths being credited to that district. As regards causation,
too, the same conditions stand out prominently. Prematurity (numbers 12, 13 & 14
in the table) caused 81, or 38 per cent, of the total; diarrhoea and enteritis (7 & 8)
20 or 9.5 per cent., and respiratory diseases (24 & 25 in the list), 35, or 16 per cent.
In 1911 the only difference was that the percentage of deaths due to diarrhoea
was higher than that for respiratory, the change in position, as compared with 1912,
being the result of climatic conditions.
Prematurity always heads the list; which of the others shall take second place
depends almost entirely upon the weather.
The extent to which the other causes contributed is shewn in the table. The
commoner infectious diseases (1-6) were responsible for 17 deaths, as against 28 in
1911. The deaths certified to be due to convulsions number 2, as compared with 11
in the previous year. Overlying accounted for 8 deaths, the number in 1911 being 7.
Four of the children were less than 1 month old; 4 less than 1 week.
PREVENTION OF INFANTILE MORTALITY.
The outstanding feature of all these deaths is that they are practically all
preventable. Most of the babies who died did so either because they were not
properly protected or properly nursed. As has been said over and over again,
ignorance and carelessness, mainly on the part of the mothers, are the chief causes of
infantile mortality.
No baby need catch an infectious disease or a respiratory disease, or die of them
if it does by accident catch them, if it is properly looked after. No baby need die of
convulsions or be overlain. Even amongst the poorest no baby need die of wasting.
The greater part of the prevention is in the hands of the parents of the children,
chiefly the mothers. Some part of it is in the hands of the Council.
It is the duty of the latter to see that no baby's chance of life is jeopardized
because his surroundings are insanitary.
It is the duty of the former to care for their children, to guard them and to
protect them. It is a hard thing to say that there are mothers who neglect their
babies. Yet very many do; not wilfully, but through ignorance or thoughtlessness.