The Poverty of London's Poor

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 72, 18 December 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Poverty of London's Poor

TtpcciVy the Coroner for ~E°st Surrey held an inquiry respe ting, the death of Sarah Matilda Muddox, ugwl nine 3-ears, who- died uiMiri 1 circumstances of a most distressing character. Sarah Mss-fcilda Maddox sawl >ha-t tho deceased, who was named after herself, was one of six children, five of whom were now living. Witness* husband was a large builder, but had "been out of work for tnree months, and during that time th« i y hud l>onn very poorly off and in w-u-vt <»f t'oud, it being a common occureii'ce 1 for t\\e deceased and her brothers und sisters to only have a piece of broad and water during the day. The mofhor said that no medical gow* leman saw the deceased before she died. They could not afford to pay for medical assistance Her husbund had not applied for parish relief because ho had been expecting work every day. At the time of deceased's deaih tli.ne was no food or a single fnr'bing in the house. They were greatiy in wuu >f food. Tho witness's h>*.<tbainl )\;t\ not jot succeeded m obtaining »i)iployment, but was then seeking ' j do so. The five other children wei-n at homo, and almost in a starving condition. Tho jury eventually returned a verdict j that the deceased died from exhaustion ! arising from 11 want <>f sufficient and proper food and raodio.il attention.