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23
On the receipt of the returns, after excluding those houses
which do not seem to require a visit, a lady inspector calls at
each house where a birth has occurred, leaves a card of instructions
on infant feeding, and obtains particulars as to the feeding of the
infant and other matters. She explains the instructions and
gives suitable advice. Every effort is made to encourage breastfeeding,
and mothers are advised to seek medical assistance before
they decide to discontinue this. Poverty is frequently found to
be a cause of improper feeding ; usually because it involves
insufficient nourishment for the mother; occasionally because it prevents
the baby from having suitable cow's milk; such cases are
referred to the C.O.S., or other charitable agency. When infants
cannot be fed at the breast, mothers are referred to the Infants'
Milk Depot. (See also Miss Fitz-Gerald's report, par. 52. Administration.)
The Woolwich Board of Guardians have been asked to allow
sufficient out-door relief to mothers with young infants for whom
the Guardians were responsible, so that the mothers would not be
obliged to go to work and leave the baby to be fed with a bottle
by some other person.
Still-births.— 74 still-born children were buried in the
Woolwich and Plumstead Cemeteries.
23. Deaths under 5 years and over 85.—'The total deaths
under 5 years were 530, or 38"3 per thousand population under 5
at the Census. The rates in the three preceding years were 40'8,
47'2, and 36'5. 38 deaths occurred over 85 compared with 35,
26, and 36 in the three preceding years.