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1912]
56
or laundry, and then getting married. Is it any wonder that we find so many
working men's homes in the muddled condition in which they are so frequently
to be found? It is most painful to see the untidy conditions which prevail in
their homes, and if untidiness were the only factor, it might possibly be ignored,
but when to this is added dirt and neglect, and the inability of the wife to cook
the plainest food, the husband's state is not to be envied. It is true that latterly
these conditions have been somewhat better, but there are far too many men who
enjoy good wages living in homes that are most unsatisfactory in every way
Schools for mothers are the latest outcome of our modern civilization; and it
is pleasant to think that there are many young women who avail themselves
of the opportunities they afford of gaining instruction, not only in the care of
children, but of other things which matter a great deal in home life.
The low infantile mortality of last year can hardly be expected to occur
again unless some special effort is made on behalf of the Council. That such
a low rate will sometime obtain throughout England the Medical Officer of
Health has very little doubt, for the work of health visitors is inducing young
mothers to take a special interest in the rearing of their children, and causing
a wholesome rivalry among them with regard to the up-bringing of their
progeny. One result is that Baby Shows, which a few years ago were looked
upon with derision, are now becoming general, which is an indication of the
greater and deep interest which the mothers are taking in the welfare of their
little ones. Such a rivalry should be fostered in every way, and it is, therefore,
pleasing to find that there have been a few such shows, although on a small
scale, within the Borough, which Church workers have held, and that
the people have taken an interest in them. In other places these shows are
fostered by the local authorities, and only recently a very successful one was
held in the adjacent borough of Finsbury. It is to be hoped that Islington
will soon have one of its own on a scale commensurate with its size. Perhaps
some of the Ladies Leagues of the Borough would take the hint. They could
not be engaged in more useful or better work.
Let us see for a moment what is done at Birmingham—and what is done
there is also done elsewhere—for the preservation of infants and children, and
for the education of their mothers. The information is taken from an article
in "The Child" (vol. 3, p. 852), by Miss M. C. Matheson, Warden of Birmingham's
Women's Settlement, who tells us that "The Health Visitors of the
City Council visit the great majority of infants born in the City; all cases of