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95
as a whole, but they must be approximately true amongst
the class who attend the Centres.
This Table is very interesting and shows a much higher
percentage of breast feeding amongst children between
the age of 6 and 9 months than one would have expected,
and if so it is cause for congratulation. It is not altogether
free from objection owing to the fact that it was taken in
December when young children would not be attending,
but it is worth while placing on record for comparative
purposes when maternity and child welfare work will have
been longer in progress.
In 1904, Dr. Sidney Davies in a report on Summer
Diarrhœa, published the following statement:—(From the
context it appears that the term "breast fed" includes
partially breast fed):
"To discover what proportion of children were normally
fed at the breast an enquiry was made. At 174 houses
where babies under one year were found in the course of
house to house inspection, it appeared that 82 per cent. of
children under one year were breast fed, and 91 per cent,
of those under 3 months."
These figures are higher than those of the present day, but
in view of the smaller numbers concerned the probable error
is greater.
The Table set out below shews the method of feeding,
age in months and the appropriate percentages.