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 1913
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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34
In 266 cases re-visits were necessary; 43 of these required a
third, 10 a fourth, seven a fifth, and three a sixth. The reasons
why further supervision was required were : 133 first children,
four twins, 51 poverty, 16 uncleanliness, 22 artificial feeding, and
40 other causes. At the time of the first visit out of 744, 695
were entirely breast fed, 25 mixed, and 24 entirely artificially.
Out of the 266 re-visited, at about the third month 242 were
still entirely on the breast, 12 mixed, and 30 artificially. Thus
within a short period of birth 93.4 per cent, are fed entirely at
the breast, and 90.9 after three months.
This point is also exemplified by the statements made as to
the length of time the previous child to the one under enquiry was
suckled.
Age at which Last Child was Weaned; per 100.
| 1911. | 1912. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| At one month | 7.28 % | 7.22 % | 5.35 % |
| At two months | 1.82 % | 2.97 % | 3.89 % |
| At three ,, | 2.05 % | 3.61 % | 4.38 % |
| At four ,, | 0.91 % | 1.91 % | 1.78 % |
| At five ,, | 0.91 % | 2.55% | 1.78 % |
| At six ,, | 2.73 % | 2.76 % | 1.62 % |
| At seven ,, | 1.59 % | 2.34 % | 1.30 % |
| At eight | 0.68 % | 3.61 % | 1.78% |
| At nine ,, | 13.44 % | 15.28 % | 15.23 % |
| Ten months and over | 68.56 % | 57.74 % | 62.88 % |
| Total Number of Enquiries | 439. | 471. | 617. |
It is seen that over 70 per cent, of our infants received the
supply that is their right for an adequate period of time, and there
is no evidence of any desire on the part of the mothers to shirk
their duty.