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39
The total number of cases selected for investigation amounted to 176.
The official forms were duly filled up, re-visits being paid from time to
time during the twelve months subsequent to the birth of the child, in
order that the necessary observations might be recorded. A considerable
amount of information has, therefore, been collected which furnishes some
interesting data. A detailed report is in course of preparation for the
Home Secretary.
Of the 176 cases, in 140 instances, the infants completed one year of
life; 13 died before they reached that age ; one was still-born; and the
remaining 32 had moved away before the expiration of the twelve months,
so that their final records could not be included.
There were comparatively few women who were industrially employed,
doubtless owing to the absence of any large factories in this Borough. A
few women worked in laundries, but the majority of those who went to
work were employed as charwomen or daily servants. The increase of flats
in Chelsea, in which the accommodation for in-door servants is limited,
affords considerable occupation for respectable women who sleep at home
but are engaged at a weekly wage to do general house-work. Of all forms
of work which women undertake while pregnant, this possibly is the least
injurious, since good food is often provided, which is a very considerable
advantage, whilst domestic house-work is usually capable of some modification
to suit particular circumstances. In the cases under consideration,
therefore, there is not much evidence to show that the employment of
women before childbirth has had in this neighbourhood much influence
upon the infantile mortality rate.
It is a matter for regret that before the expiration of the year several
families had moved and could not be traced; more especially as this number
included seven infants who were illegitimate. In each of these latter
instances the mothers, with one exception, had been to work both before
and after the birth of their children. In these cases the mothers usually
put the infant out to nurse and go into service, a course of procedure
which renders it difficult to obtain first hand information at the end of the
year.
In only 36 cases, out of the 176 investigated, had the women been
to work within six months previous to their confinements, a large proportion
of these, however, only ceasing their employment a few weeks before—in
three cases the day before—the birth of the child; while many resumed
their work shortly afterwards.
The following examples may be quoted :—
No. 15. Woman resumed work as charwoman three weeks after
confinement. Wages 2/6 per day; work heavy.
No. 41. Woman employed as charwoman up to two weeks before
confinement, and resumed work six weeka afterwards. Husband out of
employment.
No. 52. Employed at a dressmaker's until three months before
confinement; resumed work six weeks afterwards, in order to support
child. Infant died in its fifth month (illegitimate).
No. 140. Employed as a charwoman until the day before confinement.
Infant died a few hours after birth.