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106
Underfed or where the feeding was not suitable for the child's
physical needs. These returns contained 167 names. This
list was then given to the Health Visitor, who visited the
homes and obtained particulars as to home conditions. As a
result of her enquiries it was found that 25 either had no
father or that he was unable to earn anything owing to
serious organic defects. In the largest proportion of the
other cases the father was constantly out of work for various
reasons. Afterwards all the children were then examined at
the schools by either Dr. Ashkenny or myself, and of the 167,
107 were in such a condition as to require better nourishment
than they were receiving and were incapable of making the
best opportunity of their educational facilities. Of the others,
9 had left Ilford, 10 were doubtful cases, and 41 were
considered in such a condition as not to require assistance.
Doubtless there are other children in the schools who
on further examination require more or better food than
they are receiving, so that in this district as a whole I
consider there are about 150 children who may be considered
underfed. Of course the individual children are constantly
varying, as a child may be in a very debilitated condition at
the present time owing to the parent being out of work, and
in a month's time on the parent again earning full money
the altered condition is reflected in the child.
At the end of the year this matter was receiving the
attention of the Care Committee.
The following cases give an idea as to the conditions
found by the Health Visitor:—
L.A.—Father dead; mother a housekeeper, and this
child lives with her aunt; aunt appears to do
her best for the child, but she has several
children of her own and her husband is out of
work.