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broken. The mother was a homeworker, and made children's
coats and costumes. She was thin, ill, and had chronic chest
trouble. She was not notified to have phthisis. The husband was
a casual labourer, and earned 9s. or 10s. per week. The second
girl, aged 12 years, had phthisis. The eldest girl had left school.
Her teacher offered to find the girl a situation as a domestic
servant, and to provide a box of clothes for her outfit. The
parents declined the teacher's offer. Three girls slept with their
consumptive sister, and unless the parents were to consent to the
removal of the ailing child to the poor law infirmary, the others
ran a very serious risk of contracting the disease.
5.—The family consisted of the parents and 5 children, 8, 6,
3 and 2 years, and a baby 9 months.
They lived in a Lambeth basement. A notice was served on
them for its illegal occupation, and they moved into Finsbury.
The mother and two children went to Hatfield Street. The
father and three children came to Bastwick Street and stayed
there a few nights. Then they went into the City Road Workhouse,
whence they were transferred to the Infirmary. The
father and the three children were notified as having phthisis.
The father was out of work; he was said to be work-shy. He
carried about with him an undated medical certificate purporting
to be signed by a poor law medical officer to the effect that he
was in good health and free from any signs of tuberculosis. The
mother was an artificial flower maker, and always went into the
workhouse for her confinements. She obtained work in Finsbury
as a charwoman.
6.—The family consisted of the parents and 7 children, and
occupied 3 rooms. A girl, 13 years, had phthisis. Arrangements
were being made to send her away, but the mother took no trouble
in the matter, and went to nurse a sick relative. She did "not
think there was much wrong with the child, only a bit of a
cough." A fresh arrangement was made, but again the girl did
not go, this time because "she had no suitable clothes."