Statistical analysis of infant mortality and its causes in the United Kingdom / by Helen M. Blagg.

  • Blagg, Helen M.
Date:
1910
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: Statistical analysis of infant mortality and its causes in the United Kingdom / by Helen M. Blagg. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    mortality rates. Satisfactory statistics, as has already been said, are difficult to procure on this subject, but even without the help of elaborate figures it is obvious that, if the mother goes out to work, the baby is liable to be artificially fed, to be cared for by ignorant or neglectful persons, or to be left in danger of fire or starvation. It may also be exposed to cold and wet if it is taken from home daily to be cared for, as has already been mentioned more than once. The industrial employment of pregnant women is, of course, open to other dangers, and undoubtedly in some cases leads to miscarriage, premature birth, and injury to mother and child, especially if the work consists of carrying or lifting heavy weights, or is in connection with dangerous trades, such as those using lead, phosphorus, mercury, or . sulphuric acid, dry-cleaning or india-rubber works, etc. Dr. Oliver’s book on “Dangerous Trades” gives some most valuable information as to the effect of certain industries upon pregnant mothers. It has been abundantly proved that working in the dangerous processes of the Potteries, where Ilead or its compounds is used, is especially bad for women when pregnant. Out of 77 married women reported as suffering from lead poisoning during the year ending March, 1897, 15 had been childless and had no miscarriages; 8 had had 21 still-born children ; 35 had had 90 miscarriages, and of these 15 had had no child born ; 36 had had 101 living children, of whom 61 were still alive, the great majority of the 40 who died having succumbed to convulsions in infancy. Dr. Newman also, in “ Infant Mortality,” gives interesting information. Among other injurious trades are mentioned those in which women act as “ beasts of burden,” i.e., carry- ing weights, hat furriers, the linen industry, jute and hemp factories (Dundee), any work, such as laundry, where great fatigue is incurred. But though undoubtedly much might be done to improve the conditions of factory labour for women, as to ventilation, sanitation, hours, and period of rest before and after confine- ment, both general knowledge and statistics seem to point to the fact that it is not so much the actual work done by the