London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
City of London 1908
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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80
There are but few "Home" workers in the City. The total number of
Outworkers' premises registered is 214, only 43 of which can in any way be
described as occupied by "Home" workers. The remainder are ordinary
workshops, and appear on the Register of Workshops.
The "Home" workers are visited by your Women Inspectors periodically.
See page 85.
Much difficulty was at first experienced in procuring lists from employers,
and it was only after printed notice was issued to each firm concerned a few
days before the Lists became due that an improvement took place.
The following figures will illustrate what has occurred: —
| Year. | Number of Lists received. | Outworkers Employed in City. | Outworkers Employed outside City. | Total number of Outworkers. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1902 | — | 17 | 3,752 | 3,769 |
| 1903 | — | 118 | 2,729 | 2,847 |
| 1904 | 272 | 123 | 3,334 | 3,457 |
| (Note.—1st Notice issued to all employers at end of 1904 ) | ||||
| 1905 | 576 | 236 | 7,891 | 8,127 |
| 1906 | 1,112 | 229 | 14,376 | 14,605 |
| 1907 | 1,426 | 491 | 16,570 | 17,061 |
| 1908 | 1,506 | 624 | 16,909 | 17,533 |
In 96 instances it was found that no list of outworkers was kept in the
prescribed form at the employers' premises as required by the Act. The
offenders were warned of their neglect, and in no case was it necessary to take
legal proceedings.
During the year 27 notifications of infectious disease in connection with
workers and outworkers have been received. In each case a special visit was
made to the employer's place of business, and all necessary precautions taken
to prevent a spread of the infection. The cases dealt with included 20 Scarlet
Fever, 1 Enteric Fever, 4 Diphtheria, 1 Chicken-pox, and 1 Whooping Cough.