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The number of the births in the Borough was 2,579, so that these
figures show that in 1912 eighty-five per cent, of all the births
that occurred in Finsbury came under the supervision of the Public
Health Staff. In connection with this matter, it must also be
remembered that in the poorer districts of the borough—in the
'' slums "—all the births are visited.
The number of twins born and visited was 42 sets, or one set in
every 61 births. For the whole country it is usual to find that
twins occur in one out of every 60 to 80 births, and triplets in only
one out of 6,000 to 7,000 births.
Visits of Access and Non-Access.—As a rule, the health
visitors ate well received and welcomed. In Italian homes it is
not uncommon for the mother to offer the health visitor a glass of
" real good wine from Italy " to drink to the baby's prosperity.
During 1912, in only two instances out of 7,200, was any
objection raised to the visits of the ladies from the Public Health
Department.
One mother was specially pleased, and said that since the " lady
from the Town Hall" had been, her husband had given her " her
rights and had behaved quite different since."
Very occasionally the mother shows a slight hesitation at the
first visit especially if the tenement is in disorder or if the household
cleaning and tidying up are in progress.