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231
3. Measles.
4. Whooping Cough.
5. Bronchitis.
6. Pneumonia.
(1) Congenital Malformation, Premature Birth, Atrophy,
Debility, Marasmus..
It will be observed that these causes account for 684
out of the total of 1,852 deaths of infants under one year
during the five year period 1909-13.
Congenital Malformations and Premature Birth are due
mainly to ante-natal causes, and indicate the importance of
advising and taking care of the expectant mother, as well
as supervising the midwife. But, on the other hand, such
conditions as Atrophy, Debility and Marasmus are due to
weakness of the child at birth, or weakness of the child
appearing subsequent to birth. As to the weakness of the
child at birth, this is again a condition depending entirely
upon the health and nutrition of the mother during: pregnancy.
Weakness of the child appearing subsequent to birth
usually arises from want of maternal nursing, usually due
to the mother having to go to work or not receiving proper
or sufficient nourishment after confinement; improper feeding
of the child, due to want of knowledge on the part of the
mother; or generally want of cleanliness and dirty home
conditions.
(2) Diarrhoea and Enteritis.
It will be observed that fifty-one deaths of infants under
one year of age occurred from these causes in 1909, 32 in
1910, 158 in 1911, 22 in 1912, and 45 in 1913, i.e., a total
of 308 during the five year period 1909-13. The majority of
these deaths take place during the hot weather, and in
respect of infants who are artificially fed. In connection