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48
A table in the Appendix IV. gives the age at death of
babies, no less than 50 per cent. occurring during the first
month. 26 per cent, of baby deaths were under 1 week of age,
a striking fact that shows, if we are to save a needless waste
of life, the necessity of intensive ante-natal work. Further
our deaths of babies under 1 week of age are increasing; in
the 5 years 1911-1915 the rate equalled 28 per cent, and in
the 5 years 1921-1925, 35 per cent.
Some twenty years ago the rate of baby deaths was
double that of to-day. What was thought to be almost an
unachievable objective twenty years ago is to-day an established
fact. We have proved the truth of our doctrine and
have set ourselves the task of again halving our baby death
rate. We know of lives ignorantly destroyed, we know the
causes that must be abolished, and we know that an infantile
mortality rate of 30 is not an unachievable objective. Knowing
these things, it would be criminal not to apply our
knowledge and financial resources.
Child Welfare Centres.
There are 4 centres held each week—each centre being
within easy reach of a populous district—an additional welfare
centre is to be opened for the Downham Estate. Plans of a
new health centre are at present being prepared, which when
completed will help considerably in the organisation of our
services.
These centres are under the control of the Local Authority
through its officers, and the voluntary helpers give freely
of their services. The happy co-operation between voluntary
and state services that exists in Bromley is showing its
results in the better welfare of the mothers and babies
attending—which after all is our united and sole aim.
1925 has seen an increase not only in attendances but
also in individual mothers and babies at the centres. This