Social exclusion: old problem, new name

In 1842 the BMJ published an editorial deploring that “a professional man, a gentleman, or the family of such living in Bath” could expect to live into their 50s, whereas labourers and their families in Liverpool could expect no more than 15 years of life. In 1865 the Lancet set up a special commission to inquire into London workhouse infirmaries. The commission was instigated by Ernest Hart, who later became the greatest editor of the BMJ. He helped to start the Association for the Improvement of Workhouse Infirmaries, which included Charles …