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

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Finsbury 1912

Annual report on the public health of Finsbury for the year 1912

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37
10. The mother was a charwoman and office cleaner, and went
out to her work daily. The father was also in work. The baby
was 9 months old, and left in the care of a very dirty girl, aged
16 years, who fed it on a pint of milk, currant cake, seed cake
and " pieces."
11. The mother had had 11 children, eight of whom had died
under one year of age. The mother had been a bookfolder before
marriage, and during the whole of her married life had resumed
her work when the children were 4 weeks old. At this age,
they were always given into the care of a neighbour.
12. The baby was 17 day's old, and left in charge of its
grandmother, who had to go out to work. The mother was out
at work. Consequently the child was being left at home
unattended.
13. The family consisted of the parents, girls, 16, 9, and boys,
12, 6 and 4 years. They occupied two top rooms, which were
very dirty when visited by the Public Health Staff. The woman
took in an illegitimate nurse-child 8 months old for 4s. per week
At the time this was their only source of income. The child
died of diarrhoea. The woman was not registered with the
London County Council. The husband had been out of work
for 11 weeks.
The foregoing examples show the grevious difficulties under
which the mothers of recently born babies labour when they
return to work, and indicate further the pressing need there is
for the establishment in various parts of the Borough of wellconducted,
well-placed creches or public nurseries.
Weighing Centres.—There are four weighing centres in the
Borough, held in the afternoon at 2.30 p.m., at the following times
and places.
Wednesday: The Branch Library, Penton Street.
Thursday : The Mothers' Guild, 65, St. John Street.
Thursday : St. Luke's Institute, Radnor Street.
Friday : The Committee Room, The Town Hall.