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As an additional function in the care of the under-fives, active steps were in
preparation by the end of the year for the re-establishment of a day nursery at the
Svm Babies' Nursery, and the establishment of day nurseries elsewhere in the
borough. The Sun Babies' Nursery premises were transferred during the year from
the voluntary association heretofore responsible for them to trustees for the use of
the Shoreditch Borough Council for child welfare purposes. Six trustees were
appointed, one of whom (a life trustee) was Lady Reading, one of whom was Lady
Cynthia Colville, and the other four of whom were members of the Borough Council—
Mrs. Girling, Mrs. Higgins, Miss Kellett (Chairman of the Health Committee) and
Mrs. Thurtle (who was subsequently elected chairman of the trustees).
With regard to infectious disease, in spite of the decreased population there was
an increase in the number of cases of scarlet fever, and a large increase in the number
of cases of whooping cough. Apart from this, however, there is little to report
on the infectious disease side except in relation to tuberculosis.
In my report for 1940, I stated that from the figures which were then available
and from the conditions in the borough, tuberculosis gave cause for considerable
concern. I included on the back page of the report a table setting out the position
in the borough, adding a proviso that this should not be taken as giving a complete
picture since other factors, especially the age distribution of the population, were
not dealt with. The figures then estimated for 1941 were proved in the event to
be substantially correct. In 1941, the notification rate for all cases of tuberculosis
rose to 3 0 per thousand of the population, which rate had not previously been
exceeded since the years immediately after the last war. The rate was some 60 per
cent, higher than in 1940, but because of the smallness of the numbers involved,
too much reliance should not be put on the actual figure. The tuberculosis death
rate increased by nearly 50 per cent. With regard to notifications of pulmonary
tuberculosis, here again figures appear to indicate that the girl between 15 and 25 is
especially liable. As I pointed out in my last report, the problem is a national as
well as a local one and it involves many factors.
During the year the Ministry of Health provided us with a special "Millbank"
hot air disinfector, which was installed in the playground of one of the schools at
which we have a first aid post. The disinfector was used at irregular intervals
until the end of June, but it was used regularly throughout the rest of the year.
Altogether, some 36,000 articles were treated. At the same time, various alternative
methods of spraying and treating shelters and bedding were used, and after a little
anxiety in the heat of the summer, it appeared that the problem of verminous
infestation of shelters was under control. By that time, however, the number of
shelterers had somewhat diminished and therefore, should the shelters again become
full in summer weather, anxiety may again be felt. Two motor vans were purchased
at the end of the year to help with civil defence disinfections.
Civil Defence general work expanded still further during the year, and bearing
in mind its ramifications, it is sometimes very difficult to tell what is really public
health work and what is more properly labelled civil defence. War nurseries, for
example, although primarily set up to make available more woman-power for the
national effort, are so much an essential part of any scheme for looking after the
under-fives that they are equally important in the public health welfare of the
community. It is wise, therefore, where possible to take the long view, and in
addition to filling the needs of the present emergency, to try and lay solid foundations
for the work which will be needed in the post-war period.