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1927
20
The infantile mortality in London was 59 per 1,000 births.
The infantile mortality in the different wards was as
follows:—
North-East. North-West. South-East. South-West.
48 70 70 61
Premature birth still figures as the principal cause of death,
and 14 deaths are due to this cause. In addition there were 4
deaths from Congenital Debility, 4 from Congenital Malformation,
3 from Marasmus and 6 from injury at birth. Half the deaths
were due to ante-natal or natal causes. Over a third of the
infantile deaths occurred in the first week after birth. 52 of the
babies were legitimate ones, and 5 of the deaths occurred in babies
who were born out of wedlock.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
It was stated in last year's report that the Council was
endeavouring to rent premises in East Acton in order to start
there a child welfare centre. After many failures premises have
now been obtained, and although not so convenient as we might
wish to the new houses which have recently been erected, it is
hoped that it will fulfil a long-felt want.
We have been apt to concentrate our energies in South
Acton, and the figures show that we have been very successful
in that respect. For the past few years, the infantile mortality
in the south-west ward has been lower than that of some of the
other wards. This, of course, is satisfactory, but it also shows,
not that we should relax our efforts in the south-west ward, but
that effort is necessary in other directions.
For some years, we have endeavoured to co-ordinate the
work of our infant centres with that of the school medical service.
Children with squint are referred to the School Ophthalmic
Surgeon, tonsils and adenoids are removed at the Acton Hospital,
and there is an agreement with the National Orthopaedic Hospital
for the treatment of any Orthopaedic cases.
Although no special sessions are devoted by the School
Dental Surgeons to expectant and nursing mothers and to children
under 5 years of age, the following work was carried out in the
School Clinic last year under the Maternity and Child Welfare
Scheme.
TABLE I. Inspected. Referred for Treatment. Treated.
Mothers 33 33 31
Children 117 117 94
150 150 125