New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-05
INFANT DEATHS INCREASE
Contagious Diseases in Brook
Ign Big Factor, Reports Show.
BRONX CAUSES ANXIETY
Manhattan's Showing Still
Keeps Down City's Average
New Plan Evolved.

Contagious diseases have been RESPONSE
bic for nearly twice as many infant
deaths In Brooklyn during the first six
months of this year as there were all
last year. according 70 the Department
" Health. But tabulations Just COM
pleted by the department show that the
death rate among infants from diarrheai
diseases mas only Ocen about half what
II was for the same six months last year
Despite the fact that last season was
an unusual one in the reduction OF In
fant deaths there have been 5o6 fewer
deaths OF infants under one year so far
this year in the greater city, as compared
with the corresponding time last year.
To the great gains made in Manhattan is
attributed the record showing so far.
while The Bronx and Brooklyn have been
causing anxiety because Of the failure
Of those bOroughs 10 indicate any such
decided improvement as was shown In
Manhattan.
To determine what sections OF the city
are responsible for any Increases Of in
rant deaths, the Babies Welfare Associa-
ton IS evolving a system whereby the
whole city VIII be divided into small dis
tricts and each one will be closely
watched. This Is considered one Of the
most important phases Of the work Of re-
ducing infant mortality 80 far attempted
During the month Of July the milk sta
ton enrolment Increased from approx
mately 1900 TO 1900. out of the 5000
babies III the city under two years that
II IA estimated a In % h.
ton Of social workers. all except 200
are now being reached IN one way or
another
The deaths OF infants reported by the
Department of Health by boroughs for
the last week show an increase in Man
haitian over the corresponding week OF
last year for the first time this season.
Brooklyn and The Bronx made a decrease
last week OF nineteen and eight re-
spectively, over the same week In 1911
while the number of deaths In Queens
and Richmond was the same.
Figures compiled by the New York Milk
Committee from the records OF the De-
partment OF Health show that this re-
yersal Of form in Manhattan was due
almost entirely 20 the poor showing made
In two small districts one of these is
bounded by 7th street Avenue Il, East
Houston. Norfolk and Delaney streets
In this district only three infant deaths
were reported in the previous week, but
last week It jumped to sixteen. The other
district bounded by 4th and 18th streets
Sixth avenue and the North River, jumped
from no deaths In the previous week 10
nine last week
When the city has been divided into
districts the Babies Welfare Association
points out. the Department OF Health and
the other members of the association will
be able to concentrate their efforts where
they are most needed.
During July the New York Diet Kitchen
conducted nine milk stations. at which
were enrolled l.347 babies. as against ss3
IN the preceding month. The Straus
Laboratories report that 2GIs infants
were enrolled at their stations. as against
l.sj6 In the preceding month. The Babies
Diaries deal only with sick babies in a
limited number. Each infant ia made the
subject Of special study. Only two out or
one hundred died IN July.
in the hfty-hve stations maintained by
the Department OF Health there was an
Increase Of enrolment during July OF
900 babies, bringing the total up to
1900.
During the month the Babies Welfare
Association distributed 1850 free ice books
10 needy families. These books emit a
holder to ten pounds OF ice day Tor a