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(3)
(b) " The education of the mothers of the present and of the future in the
hygienic care of infants."
(c) " The promotion of breast feeding and of proper methods of artificial
feeding where that is unavoidable."
The importance of a pure milk supply and of proper housing and prevention of
overcrowding were also strongly urged.
To most of the matters contained in these suggestions I have referred in
previous reports, and with regard to recommendation (b) I have noted the good
influence of the parish nurses during the exercise of their daily vocation by the object
lessons given when attending and assisting mothers in the care of their sick children.
This, I think, might with great benefit be supplemented by an association of ladies of
the town to visit and instruct, or in other ways assist some of those unfortunate
mothers whose faults are mainly those of incapacity and ignorance of proper methods.
5. Twelve deaths were attributed to Phthisis or Pulmonary Consumption being
at the rate of .7 per thousand as compared with 1.0 during the previous year, and 19
deaths were due to other lung diseases (Bronchitis, Pneumonia, etc ) or 1.1 per
thousand as compared with .6 during the previous year.
6. Epidemic Influenza was somewhat prevalent in the later months of the year,
but no deaths were directly attributed thereto.
7. Cancer (Malignant Diseases).—Fourteen deaths were due to Cancerous
Diseases, or a rate of .7 per thousand the same as in the previous year.
III.—Summary of Sickness and Mortality from the Seven Principal Zymotic
Diseases, and from certain other Diseases, which have to be notified
under the Infectious Diseases (Notification) Act, 1899, and of the
action taken for preventing their spread.
Small Pox.—No deaths or reported cases.
Scarlet Fever.—Twenty-six cases of Scarlet Fever were notified during the
year as compared with 37, 31, 21, 36, and 27 in the 5 preceding years respectively.
No deaths occurred. Twenty-two of the cases were removed to the Joint Isolation
Hospital at Cuddington for treatment.
Diphtheria and Membraneous Group.—Five cases were notified during the
year, 3 of which were removed to the Isolation Hospital. One child succumbed to
the disease.
Enteric or Typhoid Fever.—Outside the premises of the Belmont Asylum no
cases of Enteric Fever were notified in Sutton during the year, A serious outbreak
of the disease, however, occurred at the above premises, one of the Metropolitan
Asylums Board's Institutions for the treatment of Imbeciles. 'The earliest cases were
notified on May 14th, 2 in number, four more notifications were received on the
17th, and from that date until August llth fresh cases were reported at various
intervals. In all, 64 notifications were received, and 11 deaths were attributed to the
disease.
On the earliest stage of the outbreak I visited the Asylum, and, with the active
co-operation of the resident medical officer (Dr. Sherlock), the most stringent
precautions were taken to limit the spread of the infection. At this stage all the
efforts of Dr. Sherlock and myself to elucidate the origin of the infection proved
abortive, and on June 7th 1 made a detailed report on the outbreak to the Council,
also to the Local Government Board, suggesting that a special enquiry was desirable
on account of a possible danger to the water supply of the district. Dr. S. Monckton
Copeman, Medical Inspector of the Local Government Board, was deputed to make