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239
But the object of a babies' clinic is not only to examine
and advise as to sick babies, but to keep under continuous
observation all babies, so that diseases may be anticipated
and prevented. To the above figures, therefore,
should be added the total number of children born attended
by midwives only, that is 38 per cent. of 4,042, or 1,536.
These children would probably each make one attendance
per month, and therefore 18,432 additional attendances must
be provided for, i.e., 3,072 additional hours of a doctor's
time.
In connection with the treatment of infants at a baby
clinic or dispensary, and in connection with child hygiene
generally, it will be necessary to arrange for a certain number
of hospital beds to deal with certain classes of cases.
The cases specially suitable for hospital treatment are those
producing the greatest number of deaths of children,
namely:—
(а) Diarrhoea, Enteritis.
(b) Measles.
(c) Whooping Cough.
(d) Bronchitis.
(e) Pneumonia.
(a) Diarrhœa, Enteritis.
308 deaths from these conditions, or, on the average,
61 deaths per annum, occurred among infants under one year
of age during the five year period 1909-13. In epidemic
years this number increases, and during the year 1911 as
many as 158 deaths were certified from these causes under
m
one year of age. It is quite certain that if the cases were
placed under supervision when the first symptoms begin, a
very large number of these deaths would be prevented.
Hospital provision for the worst cases is a necessity, and
already exists in the case of the larger municipalities.