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79
The fall in death rates is a very poor indication of the
actual saving to the community. At least three infants are
crippled for each one that actually succumbs to insanitary environments
within and without the home and to preventable
disease; and the protection of these children by the measures
that prevent the mortality is not appreciated.
The increasing figures of attendances at the Centres and
the fact that the Centres have become greatly overcrowded shows
that their usefulness is appreciated by parents in spite of the
inadequate and uncomfortable nature of the accommodation.
Unfortunately, as will be shown later, the arrangements of
infant life protection cannot, under existing circumstances, be
extended up to the school age of 5, and even as regards the
period from birth to the end of the first year the present measures
are insufficient.
Infectious Disease.—No attempt can be made under present
conditions to control non-notifiable infectious disease, such as
Measles and Whooping Cough, which are responsible for so
much ill health. The school authorities forwarded notifications
during the year of 796 children absent from school on account
of Measles, and 299 children absent on account of Whooping
Cough.
It is impossible to attempt the routine visiting of these
cases. Only urgent cases brought to notice can be dealt
with. The King's Home for Nurses renders the greatest
assistance in regard to these urgent cases, but if one compares
the number assisted in this way with the number reported from
schools (and school age is much less dangerous than infancy
as regards Measles), it is evident that this disease alone requires
further measures to bring about any degree of control.