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98
tribution of a total of 6,000 bottles of milk during that
period. In this way, it would appear that the greater the
number of infants fed, the larger should be the profit arising
from the milk, cream, and sugar sold, and, consequently,
the less the net loss on the rates in connection with the
maintenance of the Milk Depot. There will be, concurrently,
an increased expenditure for attendants, renewals of
bottles and baskets, etc. The other establishment or maintenance
charges will remain practically stationary, e.g., rent,
rates, taxes, etc.
In connection with the Financial Statement, the good that
has been achieved medically and from a public health point
of view, must also be considered. In a Special Report,
which was submitted to the Council on October 25th, 1906,
a detailed statement was given, shewing the numbers of
infants and children fed, the bottles of milk distributed, and
the advantages (medically considered) derived for the first
six months during which the Milk Depot has been opened.
These details may be taken as practically representing the
work accomplished during the half-year dealt with in the
Financial Statement ended 30th September, 1906, and are
comparable, therefore, with the expenditure incurred during
that time, practically representing the daily feeding for varying
periods of a total of 100 infants and children, the weekly
average being taken as 37.
The ages of the infants and children fed were:—
(1) Under 6 months, 73 per cent.
(2) Over 6 months, 27 per cent.
Further, 53 per cent, used the milk for periods extending
from 6 to 28 weeks or over, whilst only 32 per cent. used
milk for short varying periods under four weeks.
The medical report on the infants and children fed upon
the depot milk is most satisfactory, and in many instances
the results obtained have surpassed anything anticipated.
Taking the infants and children fed upon the milk for
periods of four weeks' consecutive use, the mortality rate is
58 per 1,000; taking only those infants and children who
were fed upon the depot milk for continuous periods of 13
weeks and over, the mortality is 74 per 1,000; whilst,