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13
The work continues to grow, and is therefore increasingly
valued by the mothers. Indeed, the work at the two Centres could
not be conducted on Monday and Thursday afternoons but for the
much-valued assistance of the voluntary workers who attend on
those days.
The mean rate of mortality among infants in Stoke Newington
during the past 19 years represents a saving of some 800 infant lives,
for this number of infants would have been lost if there had
been no improvement in the rate of mortality since 1906, prior to
which our rate of infant mortality had never fallen below 108.
It is now safe to predict that the rate can never again approach to
its former dimensions so long as our present-day public health efforts
continue.
These excellent public health results have been obtained at a
very low cost to the community ; for, when the Government grant
is credited against our local expenses, the net cost of the whole of
the work to the ratepayers of Stoke Newington has not amounted
to a penny rate.
The mortality for the first month of life has been but little
reduced, the saving of infant lives taking place mainly in the subsequent
months. Approximately two-thirds of the deaths occurring
in the first month of life are taking place in the first week
of life from such causes as prematurity, congenital debility,
and malformation. It is only by the adoption of more antenatal
work that these very early deaths will be reduced
substantially.
Dr. Jackson-Smith has directed attention to the fact that
systematic talks on mothercraft are urgently needed. She has only
been able to give occasional addresses ; but she proposes to increase
the number of these collective talks as opportunity occurs.
The following tabular statement upon the maternity and child
welfare work in the Borough during 1921-25 will serve to show the
continued success of the work, when allowance is made for the
diminishing number of children born.