Twentieth century medicine (Children's health)

Question 1

Why did the government take a special interest in children’s health in the early twentieth century?

Answer 1

In 1899, the government ran a massive recruitment program for the Boer war. However, they found that 40% of men who volunteered did not meet the army’s low health requirements. The committee on Physical Deterioration was set up to investigate why soldiers’ health were so poor.

Question 2

What was the conclusion of the committee on Physical Deterioration in 1904?

Answer 2

The committee concluded that poor soldiers’ health were due to unhealthy childhoods. They advised the government to:

1. Get rid of overcrowded housing.
2. Create stricter building regulations#.
3. Control air pollution.
4. Ensure regular school inspections.
5. Setting up day care for children with working parents.
6. Ban tobacco sale to children.

Question 3

What did the Liberal reforms introduce?

Answer 3

1. 1906- School meal act:
   Allowed councils to be in charge of providing school meals, thus giving free school meals to poor children who can’t afford it.
2. 1907- Free medical treatments for children:
   The government found that poor parents could not afford treatment for their children, so it told councils to set up school clinics where treatment was free.
3. 1908- Children and young person’s act:
   Made children protected people. Made it illegal for parents to neglect children and set up regular inspections for families with a history of neglect. Banned tobacco sale to children under age of 16.

Question 4

What other important date are there for improvement of children’s health?

Answer 4

1. 1909- Back- to- back housing banned.
2. 1918- Local councils provided pregnancy clinics, health visitors and day care centres.
3. 1919- New council houses built for poorer families.
4. 1930- Massive slum clearance program.