London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Ilford 1909
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]
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TABLE . S howing the A verage W eight (I ncluding C lothes) of the L abouring and A rtisan C lasses of G reat B ritain.
| Males. | Females. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age last Birth-day. | Labouring Classes. Country. | Artisans. Towns. | Labouring Classes. Country only. | Artisan Classes. Towns only |
| Average Weight, Pounds. | Average Weight, Pounds. | Average Weight. Pounds. | Average Weight, Pounds. | |
| 5 | 38.9 | 40.9 | 38.4 | 40.3 |
| 6 | 44.2 | 44.6 | 40.5 | 43.1 |
| 7 | 47.2 | 50.7 | 46.8 | 46.2 |
| 8 | 54.8 | 54.3 | 51.9 | 51.8 |
| 9 | 60.5 | 58.3 | 56.5 | 55.2 |
| 10 | 67.0 | 64.0 | 61.8 | 60.5 |
| 11 | 72.2 | 69.0 | 67.1 | 66.8 |
| 12 | 75.9 | 73.0 | 75.7 | 74.9 |
| 13 | 79.7 | 79.0 | 84.0 | 84.9 |
| 14 | 89.2 | 87.3 | 94.0 | 97.7 |
I have not been able to go sufficiently into this matter
yet, and more particulars are required from other parts of
the country. But, considering the general type of population
of this district, I am surprised the weights of the Ilford
children have not been nearer the "all classes" column.
Three questions then arise:—(1) Are the children getting the
right kind of food, suitable for growth and nourishment?
(2) Are their teeth in such a condition as to reduce their food
to a suitable form for proper assimilation? (3) Are there
any other conditions acting prejudicially on the life of the
school children? None of these questions can I answer
satisfactorily at present, but I hope to do so at a later date.
FEEDING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.
The following report has been presented to the Committee,
and a Sub-Committee has been appointed to go into
the matter:—