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257
[1911
But there is also a far-reaching evil to be dreaded by the public, who, under the
system of poor relief, help to support the patient and enable her to keep at work, receiving
from her, in return (though innocently enough as far as she is concerned), goods which
have remained in this infected atmosphere not only during the day, but generally for one
or two nights; goods which she handles when in the weakness of fever her hands are moist
with deadly perspiration, and over which when she coughs the infinitesimally minute germs
are freely scattered.
In another report which I am submitting to you I have endeavoured to show
how such painful instances may be helped, and the public health protected. Under the
system and organisation of Anti-Tuberculosis Dispensaries, both in this country and abroad,
the patient would have been provided with the means of isolation at night. She would
have been taught how to care for herself and at the same time safeguard her child. Her
room would have been regularly disinfected and proper appliances for the prevention of
infection been supplied to her. Nor would she have been permitted to continue an occupation
as homeworker, where there was a probability of the goods made under such conditions being
afterwards sold to the public. But to relieve any want arising from this cessation of employment,
nourishment and help would have been given and rendered fully effective by the
personal supervision of the doctor and trained "nurses attached to the Dispensary, in their
periodic visits to the house, which commends itself as being a better thing than giving a sum
of money every week and (as happened in this case), helping to spread far and effectually a
disease of which the notification was primarily intended as the precursor of prevention.
The general conditions found in the homeworkers' premises visited, apart from the
special considerations which I have mentioned, were fairly satisfactory. Of 1,538 inspections
made, only 64 homes were registered as having " unsatisfactory domestic conditions."
I most earnestly wish that I could report on equally satisfactory conditions as to
the rates of wages paid, but it is a regrettable fact that these are extremely unsatisfactory;
nor does the Trade Boards Act of 1909 appear to have made any appreciable difference, as
far as the Outworkers residing in this Borough are concerned. As they are employed by
various firms in the City, West-end, and local districts, their pay must be a fair sample of
the prevailing rate, as far as the Metropolis is concerned.
Elaborately trimmed blouses,, 1s. 6d. per doz.; camisoles, more than half composed
of fine insertion and lace trimming, Is. 6d. per doz.; heavy cloth mantles, full length,
With smart finish, including buttons and button holes, 7d. each; bathing costumes, with
braided jackets and knickers, l¼d. each, and so on, in a painful repetition for which this
report does not contain space; nor should I have quoted these, but that they are a tangible,
though slight, indication of an evil that is apparently going on unchecked. It appears
possible that the Act might have proved speedier in its remedial measures if the existing
machinery of inspection had been utilised, at least partly, towards enforcing its provisions.
All employers are compelled (under the Factory and Workshops Act, 1901, sec. 107) to
send to the Medical Officer of Health for every district the names and addresses of their
outdoor employees twice every year. As this is the only authority to whom the lists are
forwarded it is obvious that the mass of information is in their hands Outworkers are
already visited by Inspectors (male and female) under the various Councils, and the
information as to wages, etc., could have been quickly and easily obtained and forwarded
to the proper authorities.
S