London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Barking 1907
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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See following table —
| Age of Child. | Date and Weight at commencement. | Date and Weight when discontinued. |
|---|---|---|
| 4 months | 26th June, 11lbs. 8oz. | 2nd Dec., 161bs. 8oz. |
| 9 „ | 22nd Aug., 141bs. | 19th Nov., 151bs. 8oz. |
| 3 „ | 21st Aug., 11lbs. 4oz. | 3rd Dec., 131bs 8oz. |
| 1 month | 20th Aug., 81bs. 6oz. | 9th Dec., 14lbs 6oz. |
| 1 „ | 1st July, 8lbs. | 2nd Dec., lllbs. 4oz. |
| Twins. | „ 9lbs. | „ l3lbs. 11oz. |
| 6 weeks | 30th Dec., 7lbs. 12oz. | 2nd Dec., l0lbs. 8oz. |
| 10 months | 9th Oct., 10lbs. 12oz. | 2nd Dec., 13lbs. 3oz. |
| 3 „ | 16th Sept., 11lbs. | 5th Dec., 151bs. 10oz. |
| 2 „ | 14th Oct., 91bs. 14oz. | 9th Dec., 11lbs. 8oz. |
| 10 weeks | 21st Oct, 7lbs. 10oz. | 9th Dec., 91bs. 14oz. |
| 6 „ | 23rd Oct., 91bs. 4oz. | 18th Nov., l0lbs. 12oz. |
| 1 month | 23rd Oct., 14lbs. 8oz. | 18th Nov., 161bs. 2oz. |
| 3 mouths | 28th Oct., 8lbs. 8oz. | 25th Nov., 91bs. 6oz. |
| 3 „ | 28th Sept., 9lbs. 8oz. | 30th Dec , l0lbs 6oz. |
| 2 „ | 24th Aug., 8lbs. 14oz. | 3Cth Nov., 11lbs. 2oz. |
In connection with food supply, one of the most satisfactory
discoveries has been the number of breast-fed infants. We found
that out of 415 enquires, 336 were breast-fed, 53 partially breastfed
and hand-fed, and only 26 entirely hand-fed.
I consider these figures very good indeed, and I am confident
if I can assure proper food for the hand-feds and partially hand-feds,
and by visiting and instructing the mothers so that the milk for the
breast-feds is kept up to the standard necessary for the nourishment
and development of the infant (and this is not always the case), we
shall find that the mortality in infants from diarrhœa, malassimilation,
and other wasting diseases, will permanently lessen.
The circulation of leaflets with instructions as to feeding and
the general care of infants has been, I am sure, useful,