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69
Public Health Offices.—The erection of the new Library in
Oakfield Road necessitated the Public Health Office and School
Clinic being removed elsewhere, and in February, 1925, after
Valentines Mansion had been re-decorated and electric light installed,
this building was utilised for the purpose. The building
had been empty for the past six years, and in many places was becoming
seriously dilapidated. Its utilisation, therefore, was an
economical proposition to the Council. It will be seen from the
plan shown on page 70 that adequate accommodation has been now
found in this building for the various activities of the Department.
The School Clinic, which was carried on under the most unsatisfactory
conditions in the 3½ houses in Oakfield Road, is now suitably
housed, rooms being now available for the recovery of children
after the administration of gas, and for the cleansing of verminous
children, which were previously absent. In addition there is
adequate waiting-room accommodation for the school children.
The advantage of having all the Departments housed under one
roof is, of course, very considerable. It was feared that the number
of school children attending the School Clinic might be reduced.
In fact, it will be seen that while 2,158 children attended the morning
Clinic in 1924, 2,322 attended in 1925, and while 637 were
examined by the Oculist in 1924, 679 were examined in 1925; also
that while 3,149 attendances were made by children for treatment
by the Dentist in 1924, 3,225 were registered in 1925. The fears
expressed do not, therefore, appear to have been realised. Much
of the cost of placing the building in order for its new purpose,
would in any case require to have been spent, if it was to be kept
in existence at all.