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11
Uncleanliness and Scabies
Until 30th September, 1953, adults and children under five years of age with lice and nits or
scabies were treated at Kensington Cleansing Centre and school children at Stonebridge Health Centre.
This arrangement was found to be unsatisfactory; it was uneconomic, inconvenient for patients
to travel to the Kensington Cleansing Centre and difficult to arrange treatment for a family when several
members were suffering from scabies. Arrangements were therefore made for all cases to be treated at
Stonebridge Health Centre.

Establishments for Massage and Special Treatment
The registration of establishments for massage and special treatment is delegated to the Borough
Council under Part XII of the Middlesex County Council Act, 1944.
During the year there were 26 licences renewed and one new licence issued. In one case exemption
from licensing was claimed under the Act for a registered member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
All premises have been inspected and found to be satisfactory.
Health Education
The cost of the health services is mounting, mainly because of the increased expenditure on hospitals
and other curative services. Unless more attention is paid to prevention, the health services may well be
heading for serious financial difficulties. An enlightened citizen, with a knowledge of the principles of
health and practising the simple rules of hygiene, can play an active part in improving the health services
of an area.
The department has based its health education mainly on 15 lectures with 53 film and filmstrips.
As far as possible, health education in the schools is linked with a hygiene or biology syllabus. Brainstrusts
are held at the end of each term, and the school children always display a keen interest and show
clearly that they are gaining much useful knowledge of health. Altogether, 164 health talks and film shows were
given in 18 schools by the Area Medical Officer and members of his staff, the Chief Sanitary Inspector and
his staff, the Deputy Borough Engineer and others. 1,055 school children attended these lectures, with
attendances ranging from 20 to 150.
A well-informed mother is usually a capable mother. Caring adequately for her infant, she can
relieve general practitioners and hospitals of some of their heavy burdens in dealing with the sick. There
is no doubt that maternal and child welfare continue to play an important role in reducing illness and even
death among mothers and children.
120 Mothercraft Classes were held at the three clinics—and many talks (some with filmstrips) were
given by doctors, health visitors, midwives, and clinic nurses. Advice and help were also given to 6,707
mothers in their own homes by the health visitors during their routine visits.
Mothers' clubs were commenced in June, and talks were given on subjects such as cookery, sewing,
make-up, chiropody, home nursing, first aid and travel. The clubs have been held weekly at Kilburn Health
Clinic, and monthly at Anson Road Primary School, and they have been much appreciated.
The day-nurseries are also important meeting places for health workers and the public. Here,
the staff and parents can come together and discuss the health of children under their care. 11 film shows
and 26 talks were given at the nine day-nursery parent clubs by the Area Medical Officer and his staff,
the Road Safety Officer, the Chief Sanitary Inspector and others. In addition, 28 meetings and social
evenings were arranged.