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
Barking 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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30
The population of Barking is a working population.
(c) Unemployment.—The following table is compiled
from information kindly supplied by the Manager of
the Ministry of Labour Employment Exchange,
Barking :—
Copy of comparative statement of local unemployed by industries, as at December, 1937 and December, 1938:-
| Dec. 1937. | Dec. 1938. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men. | Women. | Men. | Women. | |
| Food | 12 | 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Electrical and W ireless | 26 | 46 | 2 | 1 |
| Building Trade and Painters | 178 | — | 179 | 1 |
| Works of Construction | 141 | — | 146 | — |
| Engineering | 23 | 3 | 31 | 2 |
| Domestic | 18 | 18 | 18 | 50 |
| Rubber Workers | 17 | 21 | 34 | 19 |
| Commercial | 3 | — | 3 | 3 |
| Road and Water Transport | 21 | 1 | 43 | 1 |
| Clothing | 4 | 38 | 12 | 35 |
| Distributive Trades | 68 | 18 | 133 | 52 |
| Government and Professional | 13 | 2 | 1 | — |
| Tin Box Manufacture | 5 | 11 | 7 | 9 |
| Matches | 2 | 13 | 3 | 3 |
| Chemicals | 25 | 1 | 26 | 4 |
| Printing | 11 | 7 | 17 | 13 |
| Asbestos | 4 | 4 | 7 | 14 |
| Woodworking and French Polishing | 14 | 6 | 7 | 2 |
| Agriculture | 7 | 31 | 7 | 25 |
| General Labourers and Factory Hands | 816 | 128 | 633 | 185 |
| Mineral Water Manufacture | 6 | 3 | — | 1 |
| Leather Trades | 4 | 4 | — | |
| Gas and Water | 60 | 2 | 42 | — |
| 1,478 | 359 | 1,363 | 423 | |
I have no statistical evidence to offer in regard to
the result of unemployment upon the health and
physique of children and adults in Barking.
It is, however, a matter of concern that a number
of Barking women still present themselves at the antenatal
clinics, in whose blood the amount of red colouring
matter is significantly below normal. A scientific