London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Finsbury 1911

Report on the public health of Finsbury for the year 1911

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Fathers idle during the twelve months preceding thefirst visit.

Duration of Unemployment.Weeks 1-5Weeks 5-10Weeks 10-15Weeks 15-20Weeks 20-30Weeks 30-40Weeks 40-50Totals.
Labourers31014556144
Carmen168161..23
Others61915673258
Totals1035371218103125

Illustrative cases.—
1. The father was an undersized man, with defective eyesight,
who played an organ at street corners. The mother had recently
been confined of twins, and was left at home in bed uncared for,
unattended, and able to do very little for herself.
One twin was subsequently found dead in bed. The father had
been given a ticket to obtain the services of a Queen's nurse
gratis, but had neglected to send. When the first twin died the
priest was called in to baptise the second twin.
The public health staff obtained the help of a nurse and were
able to secure food for the mother.
2. The father was not yet 17, and had been out of work for 6 weeks.
The mother was 19, the paternal grandmother 33 years. The first
child was born when the father was 15 years 9 months. The
mother had worked before marriage and continually ever since her
marriage, save for the lying-in period. She worked up to within a
few hours of her confinement hand colouring picture post cards.
3. The father was in prison, two children were in the workhouse.
The mother was at work, and on her way home was taken
in labour in the street, and removed to hospital.
4. The father blind and sold matches, or went out with a street
organ. The mother was a charwoman. The baby was found at