Ancienne goutte de lait de la compagnie des mines de Marles

English translation

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History

Infant mortality was a major problem for mining companies. The ageing of mining populations led to a labour shortage, making it necessary to call on immigrant workers. In 1902, the general council of the Pas-de-Calais and the prefect of the department called for the creation of infant health clinics and the generalisation of Milk Depots allowing sterilised or pasteurised milk to be distributed to mothers. The creation of the one in Auchel fits within this context. The Milk Depot was inaugurated in 1903. At its opening, 204 mothers were registered for the clinic with 18 benefiting from the Milk Depot service for 65 litres. A special pavilion was subsequently built near the hospital. Before its installation in Auchel, the building was presented at the Exhibition of Northern France, in Arras, in 1904. The structure had been designed from the outset as a light, prefabricated structure, a reinforced concrete structure with brick infill, intended to be reassembled in Auchel after the exhibition. The plans were by Charles Fournier. The main façade was provided with decoration of babies drinking milk and cows inscribed within cartouches. The building was presented as an inverted large T. In the bar of the T was the entrance and services. At the centre, an entrance vestibule with, on the left, the weighing room and the doctor's office and, on the right, the pasteurisation laboratory with two distribution windows. Large windows provided air and light. Radiators maintained a temperature of 18/20° to prevent any chilling of undressed children.