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42
The baby's clothing was frequently unsatisfactory, being neither suitable nor
sufficiently warm. Flannelette was found to be used oftener than flannel, short
sleeves tied to the shoulders were more often seen than those reaching to the wrists.
Garments with long sleeves were advised, with success in some cases.
Bronchitis, Pneumonia, and bad colds were common. This can hardly be wondered
at considering how careless some mothers were, often leaving a hot stuffy room
and standing at the street door on the very coldest of days without first having
protected the child with a shawl or other extra garment.
It was found to be very difficult to persuade the mothers to use a separate cot
for the baby. Two infants who were on the Health Visitor's visiting list were
suffocated while in bed with the parents.
Very few cases of wilful neglect were found, but two of the worst cases were
referred to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
130 of the mothers were employed in factories, workshops, in the fish curing
industry and as office cleaners.
80 were employed at home as outworkers in the tailoring, brushmaking and
cardbox-making trades.
25 kept small shops.
Some of the mothers understand very little about cooking, and have no idea
as to what constitutes a nutritive diet for young children. Very little trouble is
taken to prepare a dinner, "fried fish and chips" seems to be very popular, and enough
money is spent on this that would purchase materials for a far more nourishing and
digestible meal.
70 of the children died suddenly, which resulted in inquests being held: 25
deaths were due to Pneumonia, Bronchitis and Convulsions; 12 to Diarrhoea;
11 to Marasmus; 2 being due to want of attention at birth, and 18 were premature
births, &c.
8 cases were referred to the Charity Organisation Society, but the Society does
not assist the families of persons who are unemployed unless they have immediate
prospects of work. It will assist to keep the family while the bread winner is in the
hospital.
(1) A consumptive patient was admitted an in-patient to the Victoria Park
Chest Hospital, and his family was maintained by the C.O.S. during his
absence from home.