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264
The public-houses visited on the second night were the same as
on the first, and the visits were made at a time of "exceptional
distress" and poverty. Yet the average number of persons per
house at a given moment was 39, and if this be taken as an average
for all the licensed premises in Finsbury (309) it would yield a total
of 12,051 persons. In any event, and allowing for seasonal
influences, these figures denote a custom which cannot but exert an
evil influence upon health. Not the least serious effect produced is
the exposure of infants to heat and cold at late hours. There is
also the whole question of infant clothing and feeding. These
matters are, in my judgment, primarily within the duty of
the parent, and not the State. Everything that decreases the sense
of responsibility of the parents is to be avoided.*
2. Dissemination of Knowledge.—One of the findings of the
Physical Deterioration Committee (1904), is that, "the people perish
for lack of knowledge." This is very true of Finsbury and much
requires to be done in the direction of educational work in public
health. Especially important is the training of girls in domestic
hygiene, food values, and infant management, the personal guidance
and teaching by well qualified ladies in the homes of the people,
and the creation of a "health conscience." Much has been done in
Manchester and other cities by the method of lady health visitors
and it would be well for Finsbury if all the district visitors acted
also as health visitors who could and would advise the people on
matters concerned with cleanliness, ventilation, the selection of
food, infant management, etc.
*As I pointed out last year, the infants of Italian mothers in Finsbury are
better cared for than those of English mothers of the same class. The same is
true, broadly, of the Jewish race. The reason is that Jewish and Italian mothers
suckle their children more than do the English of the same class, and in this and
other ways more fully accept maternal responsibility. They are less ignorant and
less neglectful, and go out less to work.
During the latter part of 1904 six health lectures were delivered to social
workers, district visitors and others, at the Town Hall, under the auspices of
the Social Workers' Association. A wide extension of this kind of thing is greatly
needed.