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
Willesden 1916
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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111
Food.
In August, 1916, the average cost per meal for food
only was 2.85d. On this basis the total quantity of food
required for a child aged ten years costs approximately
3s. 4d. per week.
During the past 8 weeks ending 11th November, 1916,
the average cost per meal for the same meals has been
3.04d., thus raising the cost of feeding a child of ten years
to 3s. 6d. per week.
Having regard to the foregoing facts and to my previous report of the 18th September last, it will be seen that the cost of upkeep of a child of ten years, exclusive of rent and insurance is as follows:—
| s. | d. | |
|---|---|---|
| Food | 3 | 6 |
| Lighting and Fuel | 0 | 7 |
| Clothing | 1 | 3 |
| Sundries | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 5 | 7 |
Scale Suggested.
I would therefore suggest that the scale suggested in my report of September 18th last be amended as follows:—
| If No. in family is 2 | scale should be 8/- | instead of 6/-. |
| „ „ „ 3 | ,, ,, 6/6 | ,, 5/-. |
| „ „ ,, 4 | ,, ,, 6/- | ,, 4/6. |
| „ „ „ 5 | „ „ 5/6 | „ 4/3. |
| „ „ „ 6 | ,, ,, 5/- | ,, 4/-. |
This increases the scale previously suggested by 2s. per
head in the case of a family of 2 gradually falling to 1s. per
head in the case of a family of 6 or more.