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from diarrhoea and enteritis 33 were of children under 5 years
of age, and 28 (i.e., 62 per cent.) of the deaths were of infants
under one year of age.
Special measures of precaution are taken by the Health
Department to prevent epidemic diarrhœa, which is one of the
chief causes of infant mortality. These measures are mainly
set out in the work of the Health Visiting Staff, and include
the following:—
(1) Visiting of houses wherein births were notified
under the Notification of Births Act, 1907, or wherein
deaths have occurred from epidemic diarrhoea.
(2) Distribution of leaflets setting out the danger to life
from summer diarrhoea, and the precautions to be taken
to prevent the contamination of food supplies (especially
milk), the necessity for strict attention to domestic and
personal cleanliness, the importance of ventilation, and the
free admission of fresh air and sunlight to living rooms.
(3) Teaching of proper feeding, especially breastfeeding,
and the care and management of infants, which
is carried on systematically at the Infant Welfare Centres
throughout the Borough.
(4) Supply of dried or fresh milk at cost price or at
reduced rates or free in necessitous cases to children
under 5 years and to nursing and expectant mothers.
Measles and German Measles.
During 1919, 699 cases of measles and 100 of German
measles were notified, as compared with 1,724 and 87 respectively
in the previous year. Eighteen deaths occurred from
measles, as compared with 57 deaths in 1918.
Measles and German measles were made compulsorily
notifiable on January 1st, 1916, and remained so up to the
end of 1919. Compulsory notification was rescinded as from
the 1st January, 1920, by the Public Health (Measles and
German Measles) Rescission Order, 1919.
All cases of measles and German measles, when notified,
are visited, and such measures of a precautionary character as
are practicable are taken, especially in regard to the protection
of the younger children. Nursing attendance is provided where
required free of cost by the Borough Council.