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78
WOMEN HEALTH VISITORS.
The following observations, being an excerpt from the fifth monthly report for 1900
(May 24th, page 50), deal with a question that is deserving of the consideration of the Council—
"The practice of employing women in sanitary administration, originated in 1893 by the
late Yestry, in respect to inspection of workshops, laundries, &c., where women and children are
employed, has undergone interesting development by the appointment by certain provincial
sanitary authorities of 'women health visitors.' Manchester led the way, and in 1899 Birmingham
adopted the system. The duties of the visitors are sufficiently indicated by the directions
given to those (four in number) appointed by the Corporation of Birmingham, as follows:—
'To visit from house-to-house in such localities as the Medical Officer of Health shall direct.
To carry with them disinfectant powder, and use it when required. To direct the attention
of those they visit to the evils of bad smells, want of fresh air, and dirty conditions of all
kinds. To give hints to mothers on the feeding and clothing of their children, and to use
their influence in getting children sent regularly to school. In cases of sickness, to assist
in promoting the comfort of the invalid by advice and personal help. To urge, on all
possible occasions, the importance of cleanliness, thrift, and temperance.
"The visitors are instructed to note:—
' 1) The general sanitary condition of the house : —(a) The number of rooms and of occupants.
(b) The existence of bad smells, and whether they arise from deficient ventilation, from
bad drainage, or from accumulations of filth, (c) The state of the walls and floors ; whether
dirty from the tenant's or landlord's neglect, or in need of repair. (2) The general mode of
living, particularly with regard to personal and domestic cleanliness. (3) The feeding and
clothing of children, especially of those under two years old. Whether the baby is nursed
by the mother or fed by hand; if the latter, what it is fed upon. (4) Any cases of illness in
the house, (a) Nature of the disease, (ft) Whether there is a medical man in attendance.
(c) How far the necessary sanitary precautions are being carried out.'
"A hand-bill relating to cleanliness, ventilation, etc., is distributed, containing advice
to householders—-(a) as to the house, (b) as to the yard, closets, dust-bins, etc., and (c) as to
food. Naturally the poorest streets receive the attention of the visitors, who, to the end of
1899, had visited nearly 12,000 houses with excellent effect. The Medical Officer of Health
concludes his observations on the subject, in the annual report for 1899, by stating that it is
' the unanimous opinion of all who are brought into contact with the visitors that the work
they do is urgently needed and has already proved very beneficial.' He adds that ' the general
uplifting of the life of the very poor has been obtained'—and, assuming this to be a correct
statement of the result of the movement in the capital of the Midlands, there can be no doubt
that the moderate expenditure entailed by the appointment of the visitors has been amply
justified. The movement may be expected to extend; and, personally, I should be gratified should
the future Kensington Council see fit to appoint women, with the status of sanitary inspectors,
to do the work of 'health visitors.' The matter, I may mention, is receiving attention from an
organisation recently formed in London, one of whose meetings I was privileged to attend.
On that occasion I ventured to express the opinion that it would be well to impress on school
boards and the managers of other primary schools, the importance of adding to their subjects
of teaching, elementary information on matters relating to health, sanitation, and domestic
management, cookery, etc. The best hope of bringing home to the minds of the next generation
of men and women the hygienic importance of cleanliness, would be to teach the children of
to-day the evils of uncleanliness. Needless, perhaps, to add that it would be well to inculcate
the happiness which attends good management, in the attainment of a well-ordered and healthy
home."
The consideration of the report led to an interesting debate at the meeting of the late
Yestry held on the 18th July, 1900, but the proposal to appoint two health visitors was negatived
by a small majority. The matter having been brought to the attention of the Council (March,
1901) was referred to the Public Health Committee for consideration, but no action was
taken on the reference.
BAKEHOUSES.
The bakehouses in the borough, to the number of 114; viz., 70 in North Kensington and
44 in South Kensington, were periodically inspected during the year, and action taken, where
necessary, to ensure compliance with the sanitary provisions of the Factory and Workshop Acts
and the Public Health (London) Act, 1891. The new Factory and Workshop Act, which came
into force on the first day of the present year, re-enacted the provisions of the repealed Acts
(1878-1895) with an important addition contained in Section 101 which may materially affect
the future of the underground bakehouses, a subject to which considerable attention had been
given in these reports extending over a long series of years. Such being the case, I thought
it well, recently, to summarise in a special report the contents of previous reports
in order that the Council might be in a position to appreciate the position created by
the fresh legislation referred to. The matter is one of pressing importance, and
should be dealt with as speedily as practicable, in justice alike to the trade interests of the
bakers and the interests of public health. The one imperative condition, if the object of the
legislature and the Factory Department; viz., abolition of unsuitable underground bakehouses