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115
Infantile Death Inquiries.—In this district, in
addition to the above measures taken for the prevention of
infantile mortality, inquiries are also made into the deaths of
children under one year of age, with a view to ascertaining
the prevalent causes predisposing to such deaths. The
number of infant death inquiries during 1913 was 300, out
of a total of 325 deaths.
III. Want of Medical Treatment.
This, likewise, is a potent factor in Infantile Mortality.
In many cases the treatment which would save the child's
life is not obtained on account of the parent not having
money to attend a private doctor, or time to attend hospitals.
Efficient private advice and treatment would often cause
considerable expense, and although such treatment can be
obtained at hospitals, obtaining it is not always an easy
matter. Distances are considerable, and fares a serious
consideration, and the loss of time, and, therefore, money
to a working woman, makes attendance at a hospital frequently
a last resource.
Health authorities have established excellent treatment
clinics under their own control, where diseases of
infants are dealt with. Similar provision requires to be made
in Willesden in the interests of child life, and the matter
should receive the attention of the Health Committee at an
early date.