| Description | This address was delivered by Taylor Cadbury at a meeting of Manchester Public Health Society held on 29th January 1913. The typescript includes introductory notes as well as the main content of Taylor Cadbury's address. The typescript reveals that those present at the public health meeting were particularly interested in the 'health of the worker, and more especially of the women and children who work.' Taylor Cadbury remarks that health was 'a very important factor in efficiency as regards good work, on which the prosperity of the nation depends'. She provides an account of the International Hygiene Exhibition at Dresden, an exhibition of scientific and technological advances held in October 1912 which she suggests had been 'a unique opportunity for all engaged in any side of administration that bears on care and maintenance of human health and welfare.' Taylor Cadbury also examines the conditions of life for women and children at home and work, providing statistics about the number of children working in industry and exploring issues surrounding juvenile employment. She expresses her concerns about children leaving school early and entering employment without adequate guidance or safeguarding.
Reflecting her experiences working with Birmingham Education Committee's Hygiene Sub-Committee, Taylor Cadbury emphasises the need for medical care for children in industry, providing a statistical overview demonstrating the lack of fitness amongst young people. She considers the work of the Board of Education in relation to developments in the medical inspection and treatment of school children, reporting that 'real progress' was being made in 'rendering medical inspection effective'. Taylor Cadbury emphasises the importance of 'careful, systematic and periodical medical inspection and treatment' for children to improve defective eyesight, uncleanliness and disease. She also refers to dental disease and dental treatment as well as the relationship between housing and public health, remarking that overcrowding was detrimental to child welfare.
Taylor Cadbury's address considers conditions in factories and outlines changes which were required to improve the welfare of female workers. She remakrs on the importance of hygiene, healthy environments for eating, efficient ventilation and healthier working hours. Taylor Cadbury also provides an overview of recent accidents in factories before advocating safety measures such as the fencing of machines. Taylor Cadbury concludes her address with examples of measures taken at the Cadbury chocolate factory in Bournville to improve the welfare of workers. She suggests that welfare improvements would create a more efficient workforce and increase national prosperity in terms of both the wealth and health of the nation. |
| AdminHistory | Following the enlargement of Birmingham's administrative boundaries in 1911 which incorporated King's Norton, Northfield and Selly Oak under the jurisdiction of Birmingham City Council, Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury was invited to serve on the City Council Education Committee. She was subsequently appointed Chairman of the Education Committee's Hygiene Sub-Committee, a post which she served in until 1924. During this period Taylor Cadbury implemented medical treatment services for school children across Birmingham. Her work included introducing dental clinics in collaboration with Birmingham Dental Hospital and the development of the city's Central School Clinic which was opened by her friend and colleague Chief Medical Officer Sir George Newman (1870-1948) in September 1915. Taylor Cadbury also led the establishment of school clinics across Birmingham which treated minor ailments and provided spectacles. In addition, she oversaw the development of a clinic for the treatment of tonsils and adenoids which opened in October 1913. Taylor Cadbury's experiences of industrial welfare provision and housing reform through her work in Bournville also provided her with an insight into modern advances in public health. |