Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Report on the public health of Finsbury 1909 including annual report on factories and workshops
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4. Child of Italian parents. The family had ample means, but
in spite of this, three other children, twins nearly 5 years old and
a child 16 months, were unable to walk and just able to stand.
Referred to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Children.
5.—A baby, three weeks old, breast fed and most emaciated.
The father, mother, and 6 children, the eldest of whom was only
11 years, were all extremely thin. The man had been out of
work for 9 months, and there was absolutely no food in the house
at the time of the first visit. Food was given to meet immediate
wants and the case referred to one of the Churches, which gave
ready help. Clothing and oil emulsion were obtained for the
baby and boots for the mother. The man shortly after obtained
work and the family left the borough.
6.—A baby, two weeks old, with no clothes. The father,
mother and five children lived in an underground room almost
bereft of furniture. The father was a barber out of work, the
mother an umbrella machinist—both were steady people Clothes
and food were obtained for the mother and children and the case
referred to a charitable mission.
7.—A baby three weeks old. The father was totally blind and
either sold matches in the streets or went round the streets with
a piano organ. The mother took in washing. There was no
food in the house. Clothes and food were obtained for the
parents and children.
8.—A baby two weeks old. The father, mother, and another
child of 4 years lived in one room. The father, a carman, had
consumption of the lungs and was unable to work. The mother
sold flowers in the streets. A letter of admission to The Royal
National Hospital for Consumption, Ventnor, was procured for
the father.
9.—Baby five months old, much wasted, very dirty and neglected.
The father was stated to be a lazy wastrel; the mother
and home were dirty and verminous. The other children were
a boy 15 years, a girl 14 years, mentally defective, and three
children aged respectively 7 years, 4 years, and 21 months.
Twenty-four visits were paid. Eventually after much difficulty