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56
Among the other voluntary agencies which are established in the district for
the purpose of diminishing infantile mortality are creches. There are numerous
factories in the Borough of Stepney, where married women are employed. This
industrial occupation compels the mothers to leave their homes for a considerable
part of the day. They are compelled to leave the baby in charge of a very young
child, in a " baby-minder's " house, or a creche. As far as sanitary conditions are
concerned, there is no doubt that a creche is superior to the other two. There are
five creches in the Borough of Stepney.
(1) Dr. Barnardo's Creche.—The number that can be accommodated is limited
to fifty, the average number being forty per day. The distance whence the
babies are brought is limited to the radius of one mile from the creche.
The children are looked after and fed for twopence a day, and in the case
of widows, for one penny per day.
(2) Nursery for Jeioisli Infants, New Road.—Fifty infants can be accommodated
at this creche, but the average number is thirty-five per day. The
amount paid for each child is twopence per day, and no child is admitted
if its home is more than 1½ miles from the creche.
(3) St. Paul's Creche, Wellclose Square.—The average number of infants accommodated
is twenty-four to thirty-four, although there is room for forty.
The mothers pay threepence per day for each child. Most of the mothers
reside in St. Georges or Whitechapel, but no child is refused.
(4) George Yard, Creche.—The average number of infants is eighteen, although
twenty can be accommodated. The mothers pay threepence a day, and the
infants are brought from any distance.
(5) 154, St. George Street.—This is a creche in connection with a soup kitchen
at this address. Babies from the immediate vicinity only are admitted.
No fixed charge is made, but the mothers pay what they can afford.
Old Age.
233 deaths were attributable to Old Age. This corresponds to a death-rate of
.83 per 1,000.
70 belonged to the Limehouse District, or at the rate of 1.30 per 1,000.
25 belonged to the St. George-in-the-East, or at the rate of .53 per 1,000.
102 belonged to Mile End Old Town, or at the rate of .91 per 1,000.
36 belonged to the Whitechapel District, or at the rate of .53 per 1,000.