7 dangerous jobs for children in the Victorian Era

Chimney sweeping was a dangerous job that required children to climb up narrow and dirty chimneys to clean them.

The children were often sent up without any protective gear, which meant they were exposed to soot, dust, and smoke, leading to respiratory problems, eye infections, and even cancer.

During the Victorian Era in England, child chimney sweeps were a common sight.

These children, usually between the ages of 5 and 14, were employed to clean chimneys in homes, factories, and public buildings. 

Children were often sold or forced into chimney sweeping, with little or no education or choice in the matter.

They were sent up the chimney flue, which was often only a few inches wide, without any protective gear, such as gloves or masks.

The soot and creosote that lined the inside of the chimney flue would cling to their skin and clothing, causing respiratory problems and infections.

Many children would develop a condition known as "chimney sweep's cancer," a type of cancer caused by long-term exposure to soot and dust.

The life of a child chimney sweep was also dangerous. Chimneys were often cramped, dark, and full of sharp edges and protrusions, which could easily cause cuts, bruises, and broken bones.

Children were also at risk of suffocation, as they could become stuck in the narrow flues or inhale toxic gases from fires.

Piecers were children who worked in textile mills, responsible for tying together broken threads.

This job required quick hands and fingers, and children as young as 9 years old were employed.

Piecers were paid based on how many pieces of thread they tied together, leading to long working hours.

They up to 12 hours a day, six days a week.

The work was monotonous, with the children constantly tying broken threads together to keep the machines running smoothly.

The mills were often loud and dangerous places to work, with machinery constantly moving and workers at risk of getting caught in the moving parts.

Piecers, in particular, were at risk of getting their fingers caught in the machinery as they tied the threads together, leading to serious injuries or amputations.

Mule scavengers were also employed in textile mills, responsible for crawling under the spinning mule to clean up any thread or cotton that had fallen.

This was an incredibly dangerous job as children were at risk of being caught in the machinery and severely injured or killed.

Children as young as 5 years old were employed as mule scavengers, working up to 14 hours a day, six days a week.

Leech collecting was a job in which children were sent into ponds and rivers to collect leeches.

The children would wade through the water with their bare feet and legs, collecting the leeches by hand.

This was a dangerous job, as leeches could cause serious infections or diseases.

During the Victorian era, leeches were commonly used in medicine for bloodletting, a practice believed to have healing properties.

Bloodletting was a common medical practice in the 19th century, used to treat a wide range of ailments, including fever, headaches, and infections.

The demand for leeches during the Victorian era led to the establishment of commercial leech farms, where the creatures were bred and raised for medical use.

These farms provided a steady supply of leeches to hospitals and medical practitioners and were an important part of the medical industry during this time.

Toshers were children who worked in the London sewers, responsible for collecting any items of value that had been discarded down the drain.

They would wade through the sewage in search of anything that could be sold, such as coins or pieces of metal.

This was a highly dangerous job, as the sewage was often toxic and the children were at risk of disease or drowning.

Children became toshers because they had few other options for work and were often forced to support themselves and their families.

The conditions they worked under was particularly unpleasant, requiring them to crawl through the dark and cramped spaces.

Many children suffered from illnesses and injuries as a result of their work, including infections and respiratory problems from exposure to sewage.

The practice of toshing eventually came to an end as London's sewer system was modernized and improved.

With the installation of new pipes and a more efficient sewage system, there were fewer opportunities for toshers to find valuable items in the sewers.

Additionally, laws were passed that prohibited toshing and other similar activities in the sewers, making it illegal for individuals to enter the sewers without proper permission and equipment.

Matchstick girls were young women and girls who worked in match factories, responsible for dipping the matchsticks in phosphorus.

This job exposed the workers to phosphorus poisoning, which caused a particularly nasty condition known as 'Phossy jaw'.

This was the decay of the jawbone and other facial bones. The disease was excruciatingly painful and often resulted in permanent disfigurement.

Many middle and upper-class families in the Victorian Era employed young children as domestic servants.

Domestic servants were responsible for keeping the house clean, which often involved scrubbing floors, washing dishes, and cleaning toilets.

They used harsh chemicals and had to clean in tight, cramped spaces.

In addition to cleaning, domestic servants were responsible for cooking meals for the family.

This involved preparing food, working with hot ovens and stoves, and dealing with fires and burns.

Many domestic servants worked long hours for very little pay and were subject to harsh treatment from their employers.

However, domestic service was one of the few jobs available to women during this time period and was often a means of escaping poverty and homelessness.