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68
Matters of Public Health Interest which have
arisen during the year.
I.— Tuberculosis: Assessment of Contribution by Patients towards the cost of Residential
Treatment.
The London County Council announced that the matter of assessment had been
transferred from the Public Health Committee to the Public Assistance Committee
and requested that the City Council's Tuberculosis Care Committee should undertake
th* collection and assessment of contributions of those who previous to the operation
of the Local Government Act, 1029, were tuberculous Poor Law patients.
The City Council having consulted its Tuberculosis Care Committee agreed to
assess the new type of cases, but was unable to undertake collection of contributions,
which decision was in conformity with th? practice of the Care Committee which had
been in operation for some eighteen years.
II.— Local Government Act, 1929, Contributions to Voluntary Associations.
The scheme of the Minister of Health fixing the City Council's annual grants to
th? fallowing associations in the amounts stated was received. The grant period is
from 1st April, 1933, to 31st March, 1937.
City of Westminster Health Society £1,103
Charing Cross Hospital Centre 272
Infants' Hospital, Vincent Square 218
City of Westminster Day Nursery 000
The payments are to be made subject to conditions specified by the Minister
being fulfilled.
III.— Tuberculosis—The London County. Council—Improved Co-operation between
the Public Assistance Authority and the Local Authority as regards extra,
nourishment for Tuberculous Patients receiving Out-Relief.
Th? County Council announced that the District Medical Officer would consult
the Tuberculosis Officer as to extra nourishment to such cases over and above the
ordinary .scales of diet for out-relief cases. He would also refer out-relief cases whom
he found to be tuberculous to the Tuberculosis Dispensary and would consult the
Tuberculosis Officer as to recommendations for in-patient treatment for such cases.
T.—Incinerator at block of private flats.
A further period for the operation of this incinerator has been granted by the
London County Council after consulting the City Council. The principle in this case
is that of a combined shoot-incinerator. It works with high efficiency which almost
entirely results from careful and intelligent management. All the household refuse
from a considerable number of flats is burned to a fine ash. So scanty is the residuum
that the dustman calls only once a month.
' —Infant Life Protection—Adoption of Children Act, 1926, Guardianship ad litem.
The Home Secretary had stated that Maternity and Child Welfare Authorities
were qualified to act as guardians ad litem as well as Education Authorities. The
City Council accordingly informed the Courts in the area of this decision. In one
case the Westminster County Court appointed the City Council guardian ad litem
and the Medical Officer of Health attended the Court to give evidence before an
aHption order was made.