La implantación de las Gotas de Leche en España (1902-1935): un estudio a partir de la prensa histórica

Abstract

Milk Depots were health care institutions involved in fighting against high levels of child mortality in Spain in the first third of 20th century. They promoted the improvement of food hygiene of the newborn. This article reconstructs the trajectory of its implementation until the Spanish Civil War. Given the limited number of statistical sources available, it has been used as documentary source digitized historical newspapers. Analysis of these documents and other published studies leads to the estimation that this institution was deployed in 79 cities between 1902 and 1935. Milk Depots were settled mostly in provincial capitals, in all regions, including the Spanish protectorate in Morocco. Before 1936, a complete sequence of expansion and stabilization took place in the opening of these centers. This opening seems to respond most to influence of existing medical and charitable institutions that infant mortality levels prevailing at that time. Examination of the news shows as setting up a Milk Depot was not the outcome of a simple decision process, implemented quickly. The management was not exempt from difficulties. They came mainly from the lack of financial support or they were consequence from greater demand for their services.