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7
Before the Acts came into force, many girls of the working classes,
particularly those employed in factories and warehouses, suffered from
anaemia and general ill-health. Their circumstances made it imperative that
they should not be off work for any appreciable period. Many of them could
not afford regular medical attention or extra nourishment. But directly these
became available, nearly all cases of chronic anaemia disappeared, and the
general health of these women and girls was tremendously improved.
The result was that when they married, their physical condition was
much more fitted to the burden and strain of child bearing than in the old
days, when malnutrition and anaemia were widespread in this class of worker.
The National Insurance Maternity Benefit is also of great use in
relieving the mother of pressing financial strain during her lying-in.
All the above-mentioned causes have some bearing on the question.
Climate has more effect on occasional fluctuations of the infantile mortality
than with the general trend of the decline, by causing a higher mortality from
diarrhoea in years with a high summer temperature.
In my opinion, however, the greatest factors are the organised maternity
and child welfare activities—both voluntary and municipal—and the supply of
free milk by the Borough Council.
(9) The systematic house-to-house inspection was continued during the
year, and on pages 49-54 a list of streets is given where every house was inspected
as a result thereof.
I also include the records of work done by the Sanitary Inspectors, Health
Visitors, the Staff of the three Tuberculosis Dispensaries, and the Disinfecting
Staff, to whom I am indebted for their loyal assistance, as well as for the
assistance given by the Clerical Staff of the Public Health Department.
I am, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
D. L. THOMAS,
Medical Officer of Health and Administrative
Tuberculosis Officer.
Population.
The estimated population is 253,850, distributed as follows:—
Limehouse, Ratcliff, Shadwell and Wapping 53,070
St. George-in-the-East 41,120
Mile End Old Town 104,900
Whitechapel, Spitalfields, Mile End New Town,
&c 54,760