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24
As pointed out in previous reports, in numerous instances names and addresses
of out-workers are duplicated owing to lists being sent in twice a year, and in some
cases the same out-workers are employed by more than one firm, so that the numbers
given above must not be taken as representing the actual numbers of individual
out-workers. Tables are appended showing the distribution of out-workers as regards
trades in the Borough. Most of them are engaged in work connected with the making
of wearing apparel, artificial flowers, paper bags and boxes, and brushes.
Some 1,280 visits of inspection were made to places where home-work was being
carried on, and in connection with these 233 sanitary notices were served. The
cases of notifiable infectious disease occurring at out-workers' premises numbered 44
and included 13 of scarlet fever, 24 diphtheria and 7 pneumonia. The usual steps
were taken in connection with them by the officers of the sanitary authority.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
The births notified under the Notification of Births Act, 1907, numbered 2,318,
and there were in addition 50 still births. Of the notifications 1,674 were received
from registered midwives practising in the Borough. In addition, some 250 occurring
in institutions outside Shoreditch were notified on the forms sent in weekly by the
London County Council. Including these the births notified during the year were
approximately 88 per cent. of the births registered as compared with 98 per cent. in
1921, 85 in 1920, and 95 in 1919. Towards the end of the year this decrease in the
number of notifications came under the notice of the Maternity and Child Welfare
Committee, and the medical practitioners and registered midwives were again
circularised upon the subject of their duties as regards notification.
A Summary of the work of the doctors and health visitors is appended
(pp. 71 and 70). The work has followed on the same general lines as in previous
years, but extension has been necessary to meet the needs of the Borough. The
additional dining centre at 31, Herbert Street, to which reference was made in the
Annual Report for 1921, was opened towards the end of April. Towards the end of
the year an additional infant welfare consultation was established under Dr. Radford
at 152, Kingsland Road on Thursday afternoons in place of the weighing centre,
previously held there on that day.
The full staff employed by the Borough Council in connection with maternity
and child welfare work at the end of the year was as follows : an assistant medical
officer of health, 5 health visitors, 3 male clerks (one temporary), 2 female clerks
(one temporary), and an enquiry officer.
At the Centre, 152, Kingsland Road, a cook-caretaker and assistant cook, a
vegetable hand and general assistant, a cleaning assistant, a part-time waitress and
a part-time babies' nurse.
At the Centre, 31, Herbert Street, a cook-caretaker, a nurse and cleaner, and a
helper and waitress.