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deaths in infants from premature causes. These causes, to my
mind, while not capable of removal entirely, are in certain cases
removable. The question of the employment of women during
pregnancy has an important bearing on this question, and is
largely an economic question, the solution of which does not rest
in the hands of the Local Authority.
There certainly has been a reduction this year in the number
so employed, 13 per cent. as compared with 15 per cent. last year.
It is to be hoped that there will be a still further reduction as a
result of a wise administration of maternity benefit under the
National Insurance Act.
I am pleased to say that the use of the comforter is gradually
diminishing. Also the practice of infants sleeping with their
parents. For this latter practice little excuse can be found, because
it is very easy and inexpensive to improvise a crib for the child.
Two deaths were recorded from overlying as a result of this practice
during the year.
During the year, re-visits were paid by the Health Visitors.
The number of infants re-visited was 545; these were visited as
early as possible after an interval of three months.
The number who were being fed naturally at the first visit
was 487, which had diminished to 322 after an interval of three
months. Nine infants were receiving artificial feeding in addition
to mother's milk on the first visit, while on the second visit. 44
infants were found to be so fed. Forty-nine infants were being
fed wholly artificially on the first visit, but this number had
increased to 126 on the second visit. In 53 cases the family
had either removed or no information could be obtained when
the second visit was made.
It was of course anticipated that a certain reduction in the
percentage of children being fed naturally would be found on
re-visiting after a certain interval, because there are certain
circumstances which make it necessary to supplement or supplant
natural feeding. That there should be a reduction of 33 per cent.
is to be regretted, because of greater mortality among those
infants who are receiving artificial feeding.