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1928
32
In 1926 the infantile mortality was exactly the same as
that of last year.
The reduction of the infantile mortality affords gratifying
evidence of the success of the local schemes established for the
purpose of dealing with the problem of child life, but it is well
to recognise that there are many factors at work other than
those comprised within the direct attack on the causes of infant
death. On account of the general change of policy in public
health administration it is especially misleading to advance the
theory of post hoc, propter hoc in this connection, but the
mortality figures for Acton are interesting. The general deathrate
began to decline in the early eighties of the last century,
but the infantile mortality kept up throughout the nineties.
Between 1892 and 1902, not once did the infantile mortality come
below 150 per 1000 births. Since 1903, the infantile mortality
has steadily declined; not once since that date has it reached 150
per 1000 births, and in the last 10 years it has not once reached
80 per 1000 births. Formerly one in six infants died before
they reached the age of 12 months; now only one in, sixteen die
in the same age-period. Formerly, in a hot summer of the
character which we experienced in 1928, deaths from Diarrhoea
loomed large in our returns. Last year Diarrhoea caused only
six deaths. Diseases of the Respiratory system have declined,
but not to the same extent as Diarrhoea. To-day, neo-natal conditions,
such as Premature birth, Atrophy, Congenital Malformations
head the list. Nearly half the deaths of infants are due
to these diseases.
Pre-Natal Clinic.
The Pre-Natal Clinic is held once a fortnight in the School
Clinic and Dr. Bell is in charge. 23 sessions were held with a
total of 138 attendances.
It is unfortunate the pre-natal clinic is not more popular,
as only by pre-natal care can we hope to reduce the mortality
from neo-natal diseases.
Welfare Centres.
A new centre was opened in the East Acton School, and
is held once a fortnight. It is not the most convenient situation
for East Acton, but it was the only place available.
The two centres in Church Road and Palmerston Road
are open on two afternoons a week—Monday and Wednesday.
On table 8 are given the attendances at these clinics. It cannot
be too frequently emphasised that these centres are for the
inspection of babies and for the guidance of mothers in the
norma) rearing and upbringing of their children. Where any