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14 Parish of St. George the Martyr, Southwark.
I had to tell you last time of an increase of deaths under five years of age, and this
tale I must again repeat; but the number is greatly lessened. In 1861-2 there was a rise
of 104; in the year now ended of 22 only. The deaths of Infants add very largely to our
mortality Tables. These deaths, so unnatural, and so numerous, have long drawn the
especial attention and regard of those who take thought, for the well being, and future
progress of our race. "They are amongst the most important studies of sanitary science."
Two in Five die before the fifth year is reached. During the last year, 710 deaths have
been registered. The causes of this vast destruction of children are apparent enough; for
dangers lie thick around them, arising from locality, from ignorance, from neglect, and
often from the utter carelessness, of those whose duty it is to nurse and tend them. However
there are other, and more hidden influences at work in the production of these deaths.
For instance, there is to be considered the moral and physical condition of the parents, and
particularly that of the mother, whilst child-bearing. Impressions are then made upon it,
which will tell powerfully upon its future existence; whether it shall be born "rightly
formed, or painfully deformed"; whether it shall be impressed with healthy tendencies
that shall make life happy, and long; or, with unhealthy tendencies, that shall make
life a burthen, and a weariness, and death unseasonable. The place where a child is born,
exerts also a vast power over its future viability: if in Town, then are the chances of
death twice as great, as they would have been had it born in the Country. Dr Arnott
states that an individual, the offspring of those who have lived continually in foul air, will
have his constitution very different from that of a child who is born of parents who have
lived a long time in the country. Accompanied with the want of pure air, and open spaces,
there often is want of proper and sufficient food; also of that care and cleanliness so requisite
to infant life : hence follows Scrofula in all its various and hideous aspects. Then we
have commerce and domestic duties; in direct and irreconcilable opposition, the one to the
other. Girls, as soon as they are old enough, are sent off to Factories, or other places,
instead of staying at home under a mother's superintendence, and gaining that knowledge
which should prepare them for the performance of those duties that must hereafter necessarily
devolve upon them; hence of these duties they are profoundly ignorant. But then, the
mothers are not at home; they also are engaged abroad, the consequence of which is, that
the infants are neglected, left with careless nurses, and suckled only, when she rushes
home for her own meals. How often do we see families of children left to the care of
one another, in rags, and filth, whilst the parents are away in search of the bare means of
subsistence; and left in rooms, or passages, so foul and sickening, that our senses are
shocked, and our sorrow excited, at witnessing human beings doomed to spend their childhood,
so. How can either health, or home affections be promoted, or exercised, under such
untoward influences? Just when children are most susceptible, and most in need of a
mother's love, and care, then are they left, or committed to the care of others, whose interest
is merely a paid one. With reference to factory women, this subject has been strongly
put by Simon, "Domestic obligation," he says, "is outbidden by the labour market;
and the poor factory woman who meant only to sell that honest industry of hers, gradually
finds that she has sold almost every thing which other women understand as happiness."
In striking contrast with this, it has long been remarked, that when labor is short, or
stopped, then the mortality of infants rapidly decreases. The explanation lies close at
hand. The mother now that the factory doors are shut, has no call to leave her home; she