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"Limehouse Fields," where the infantile mortality is, and has been for many years,
abnormally high. Unfortunately, when she had become well known in the area, and
her services were appreciated, she was transferred to another part of the Borough.
On October 24th, 1906, a letter was received from the Secretary of the Legal
Committee of the Women's Industrial Council, asking for the appointment of a
Female Sanitary Inspector. The communication was referred to the Public Health
Committee, which deferred its consideration for twelve months.
On March 13th, 1907, a deputation from the Stepney Visitors' Association came
before the Council, urging the appointment of a Female Sanitary Inspector. The
subject was referred to the Public Health Committee. I was instructed to obtain
information from other Metropolitan Borough Councils on the matter, and the replies
were submitted to a Sub-Committee. After carefully considering the experience of
other Borough Councils, the Sub Committee arrived at the conclusion that a Woman
Sanitary Inspector and Health Visitor should be appointed for a period of twelve
months. The report of the Sub-Committee was rejected by the full Committee, and
it was resolved to recommend the Council to take no action in the matter. On
April 24th, an amendment was moved at the Council meeting that the matter be
adjourned, and the full report of the Sub-Committee be circulated to the members
of the Council. This amendment was defeated by 23 votes to 16. The recommendation
of the Committee was adopted.
On March 25th, 1908, a deputation from the Stepney Council of Public Welfare,
including the Bishop of Stepney, addressed the Council on the same subject.
The matter was referred to the Public Health Committee. The Committee
recommended that no action be taken, and this was approved by the Council by
19 votes to 9 on April 8th.
In 1909, the question was again considered and a Health Visitor was appointed
She commenced her duties on February 1st, 1910, in a part of the Borough where
the infantile mortality was abnormally high; in 1910 it was 198 per 1,000 births.
The fact that the infantile mortality was higher in this part of the Limehouse
district can be readily understood when it is remembered that there is a larger number
of females working in factories residing here than in any other part of the Borough.
In June, 1912, the area was extended to include the Parish of Limehouse and
the Hamlet of Ratcliffe, and she works in association with a voluntary Health
Visitor appointed by the Stepney School for Mothers, Commercial Road, who devotes
her attention to Shadwell. The Health Visitor and the School for Mothers have the
same object, namely, to teach mothers the art of rearing healthy babies, and so to
lessen the high mortality among infants and improve the health of those who survive.
The activities of the School, centre round the infant consultations, which are held
every Tuesday afternoon throughout the year. Two medical men are in regular