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 1914
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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35
In 320 cases revisits were necessary; the total number of
revisits being 1,230, which included visits paid to children
born in 1913. The reasons why further supervision was required
were: 141 first children, 10 twins, 35 poverty, 14 cleanliness,
34 artificial feeding, and 42 other causes. At the time of
the first visit out of 857, 695 were entirely breast fed, 25 mixed,
24 artificially fed. At about the third month 227 were entirely
breast fed, 56 mixed, and 37 artificially. Thus, within a short
period of birth 93.4 are fed entirely at the breast, and 70
per cent, 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. | 1913. | 1914. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At one month | 7.28% | 7.22% | 5.35% | 11.5% |
| At two months | 1.82% | 2.97% | 3.89% | 1.1% |
| At three „ | 2 05% | 3.61% | 4.38% | 3.7% |
| At four ,, | 0.91% | 1.91% | 1.78% | 1.1% |
| At five ,, | 0.91% | 2.55% | 1.78% | 1.1% |
| At six ,, | 2.73% | 2.76% | 1.52% | 6.1°/. |
| At seven ,, | 1.59% | 2.34% | 1.305% | 0.6% |
| At eight „ | 0*68% | 3.61% | 1.78% | 1.7 % |
| At nine „ | 13.44% | 15.28% | 15.23% | 9.9% |
| Ten months and over | 68.56% | 57.74% | 62.88% | 68.1°/ |
| Total Number of Enquiries | 439 | 471 | 617 | 619 |
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.
The following figures give some idea as to the reason of
death other than its immediate cause. The last column gives