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The number of deaths from prematurity and congenital debility
remains still very high. Out of the total of 380 deaths under
one year in 1928, 134 were due to this cause, i.e. 35 per cent., as
compared with 36.6 per cent, the previous year.
Although there is an increase in the deaths from diarrhoea in
comparison with 1927, viz. 43 in 1928, or 11.3 per cent., and 28
in 1927, the number 43 compares favourably with other years,
especially when one takes into account the long spell of hot, dry
weather experienced in 1928. Of the deaths, 73 per cent, of the
infants were completely breast-fed; the remaining 27 per cent,
were having complete or partial artificial feeding, which, in the
majority of cases, means Dried Milk as obtained from the Council
at a cheap rate. Where there is no means of cool, clean storage
of fresh milk, as in so many of the homes in West Ham,
there is very grave risk of contamination of the milk by dust or
flies, with resulting gastro-intestinal disorders in the infants thus
fed. Dried milk is infinitely less liable to contamination, and the
mothers are more alive to the dangers of dirty feeding-bottles
and rubber teats, so that it is hoped that deaths in infants from
diarrhoea will continue to decrease as a result of more suitable
and cleaner feeding. A certain percentage of deaths from diarrhoea
still occurs, not from contaminated milk but from the giving
of entirely unsuitable food, e.g. fried fish, potatoes, bacon fat, to
infants by parents, or others who look after the baby.
Jnfant Welfare Work is doing much towards preventing this by
educating the mothers in infant feeding.
Respiratory diseases continue to play a large part in raising
infantile mortality. 30.8 per cent, of the deaths in 1928 were due
to pneumonia, bronchitis, or other respiratory diseases!
Maternal Mortality.
Total number of Births in the Borough in 1928 5913
Number of deaths due to complications of pregnancy or
childbirth 13
Maternal Mortality 2.1 per 1,000
Maternal Mortality rate for 1927 3.0 per 1,000
Average age of Mothers at Death 29.4 years
Analysis of the Maternal Deaths.
Of the 13 Maternal Deaths, six were attributable to puerperal
fever, in five cases following practically full-time labour, and in
the remaining case after incomplete abortion.
Seven deaths were attributed to causes other than puerperal
fever, of which no fewer than four were due to haemorrhage, one
to Eclampsia (intra partum), the remaining two being the result
of cardiac disease.
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