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

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Fulham 1913

Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1913

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112
gambling, disorderly behaviour and obscene language,
although many are for larceny and felony.
Fines under Children and Education Acts.
In addition, few families where there are children
of school age have escaped being summoned under
School attendance and cleansing bye-laws of the Children
and Education Acts.
Use of Cleansinq Station.
During a period of eight months of which there
are records, 136 children (coming from 84 families
and from 54 of the 77 houses in question) have been
compulsorily, and many repeatedly, cleansed, and as
the families with children of school age number 176,
it will be seen that every other family has been
found to be exceptionally dirty.
Drink as a demoralising factor.
In all but one of these families there is a known
record of drink against one or both parents, and
the children of 81 of the 84 families are in receipt
of school meals.
But where "money is not forthcoming for bread
let alone soap," police court fines are nevertheless
paid for drunken and disorderly conduct.
I he demoralising effect of drink is further shown
by contrast, for some tenements have been found
clean and the children well nourished, although convictions
for larceny, felony or gambling have been
frequent.
Children in Industrial, Physically Defective and
Mentally Defective Schools.
At the present time there are 78 children from the
street in Industrial Homes. These come from 45
families.