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26
Infantile Mortality.—77 deaths occurred in children under one
year of age. This number corresponds to an infantile mortality of
65 per 1,000 births.
The infantile mortality is slightly higher than that of 1922,
when it was 62 per 1,000 births.
It is also slightly higher than that of London—60 per 1,000
births, but lower than that of England and Wales and of the 105
great towns including London—69 per 1,000 births.
38 of the deaths occurred in babies under one month old.
41 of the deaths were due to natal or ante-natal causes.
11 of the deaths were of illegitimate children and the illegitimate
infantile mortality was 265 per 1,000 births.
Maternity and Child Welfare.—The principal change has been
the closer linking of the Child Welfare scheme with the School
Medical Service. By arrangement with the Education Committee,
children from the Child Welfare Centres have been referred to the
School Dental Surgeon and School Oculist. 49 children under five
years were treated by the dental surgeon, and twelve were treated
by the school oculist.
It was found in the inspection of entrants that a very large
number of the children suffered from Dental Caries, and it is
hoped by an extension of the work to reduce the percentage of those
who are found to require treatment when they enter school.
Ante-natal Clinic.—63 expectant mothers were examined at the
Ante-natal Clinic, and four were treated at the Acton Hospital
under the agreement between the Council and the Acton Hospital.
Acton has no Maternity Home, but beds for complicated cases
are provided at the Acton Hospital.
In exceptional cases the whole or part of the fee of midwives
is paid by the Council, and last year the fees of midwives were paid
in sixteen instances.
Milk (Mothers and Children Order) 1919.—The procedure
followed in previous years was not altered. The scheme which is
worked in co-operation with the Guardians has worked quite
satisfactorily, and only in exceptional cases was free milk
distributed by the Council.
2,329 packets of dried milk were distributed through the
Believing Officers, and 432 packets were distributed by the Council
to expectant mothers, and in exceptional circumstances where the
recipients would not be eligible for Poor Law Belief.