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1907]
228
In Manchester, a society has been in existence for more than 30 years
which has for its object the discovery of all these conditions which are adverse
to public health, and especially the bringing within the knowledge of the
mothers among the poor such information as will enable them to do their
duty to their children. The poorer parts of Salford and Manchester are
divided into districts, and subject to their directions, a number of health
visitors, who are in part paid by the Corporation, undertake the duty of
visiting every home where a child is born, with the object of educating mothers
in the best methods of bringing up young children. Incidentally, and very
largely, the labours of the health visitors enable them to obtain knowledge of
all kinds of nuisances, those that can be dealt with by the Sanitary Inspectors
are referred to them, but in addition, they teach personal and household
cleanliness, and give advice and sympathy, and even practical help. On the
whole, however, the work is preventative rather than remedial, for the women
of the district are shown the evils of dirt and the danger of living in unhealthy
dwellings. They are taught how to prevent the spread of disease, and the law
which will enable them and their families to lead moral and healthy lives.'*
The Manchester example has now been extensively followed, and most
of the great sanitary authorities are considering the advisability of appointing
health visitors as an addition to their staffs of inspectors, if they have
not already done so. No doubt this will be an accomplished fact in Islington
before long, because a large community such as it is must follow the lead of
others in adopting approved methods to preserve the health of the
people. The agency, male or female, by which this is obtained does not
matter—the end is all.
Inspections and Visits.—9,390 inspection of houses were made, of
which 1,696 were from house to house, and these resulted in 62,203 further
visits being paid. Other visits, as mentioned below, raised the total to 81,628.
The following list shows some of the work on which the inspectors were
engaged:—
House to House Inspections 1,696
Other Inspection of Dwelling Houses - - 7,694
Re-inspections and calls made - 62,203
Visits of Inquiry re Infectious Diseases (notifiable) 2,074
„ „ (notified by
the schools)5,829
* Report of the Committee on Physical Deterioration, pages 297 and 298.