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43
The maternal mortality rate for England and Wales has now
fallen to .72 per 1,000 total biarths. In 1951 there were no maternal
deaths in Ealing and in 1952 the rate was .39 per 1,000 total births.
Ealing's infantile mortality rate is now 22 per 1,000 as compared
to last year's figure of 25 and the national average of 27.6 per
1,000. 38 of the babies died in the first month of life and 15
between 1 and 12 months. The five main causes of death are
Prematurity 13
Respiratory Disease 10
Foetal Abnormality 8
Atelectasis 6
Birth Injury 5
In the 13 cases of prematurity 10 died on the first day of life
and none lived more than 5 days. This suggests that the care
of the premature baby in the Borough is satisfactory by present
standards and that a premature child, who has survived the hazards
of birth and is viable has a good chance of survival. 5 other
premature babies died but in 2 the main cause of death was birth
injury and in 3 cases atelectasis.
In the 5 deaths due to birth injury and 6 due to atelectasis,
death occurred in the first week of life.
The 10 deaths from respiratory disease were all in the first
4 months of life. Other causes of death included erythroblastosis
foetalis (2), lack of attention at birth (2) and asphyxia in the
cot (2).
Up to recent years gastro-enteritis was among the main causes
of death of infants, but in 1952 it was responsible for no infant
death. This dramatic result has been produced by the improved
technique of infant feeding taught by the clinics and a plentiful
supply of clean, safe milk—dried, pasteurised and evaporated.
If mothers could be brought to realise the importance of
isolating the young baby at the first sign of colds or coughs in
any other member of the family it would go far to prevent
bronchitis and reduce the relatively large proportion of deaths in
infants from respiratory disease.
HEALTH EDUCATION
The leaflet display trays mentioned in last year's Report
were maintained throughout the year in the Town Hall and in
the six main Libraries. The demand increased in 1952 and a
total of 14,100 leaflets were distributed.
The interest of the public has also been aroused by the
exhibition from time to time of topical posters relating to health
subjects and a number of lectures have been given to selected
groups.