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occurrence of a case of smallpox in their home: a subject in
which the decision of this Council to take no action has been
defended in previous reports.
There were 32 notifications of ophthalmia neonatorum, and
of these 15 were taken to hospital. It is gratifying to be able to
report that so far as could be seen at present none of the children
showed any sign of permanent injury to the eyes.
Tuberculosis.
Material alteration has taken place in the adminstration of the
arrangements for this disease. At the end of 1920 it was intimated
to this authority that the Committee who had so long carried out the
work could no longer be responsible for its continuance.
The Council, therefore, had no alternative between dropping the
scheme altogether or of continuing it under their direct control and
being themselves responsible for the cost. A scheme was prepared
and approved by the Committee, and subsequently by the Council, to
this end, and it is now directly under municipal control, the Tuberculosis
Officer, Dr. Brand, being an officer of this Authority.
The staff at the end of 1921 consisted of: —
Tuberculosis Officer Dr. Brand.
Assistant Tuberculosis Officer Dr. Gorrie.
Nurses Miss Chambers, Miss
Thistleton.
Clerk Miss Fry.
Dispenser Miss La Croix.
Potter Mr. W. J. Cripps.
Cleaner Mrs. Martin.
The work is carried on from the old premises in Brunswick
Square, there being also a day sanatorium and school at Grove Hill
Road.
Cases requiring institutional treatment are sent to the Infirmary,
to various homes under the control of the London County Council,
and to a lesser extent become inmates of the various hospitals,
general or special. Formerly it was the custom for the women
sanitary inspectors to keep in touch with patients and contacts, and
while the Dispensary was under outside control it was probably the
best plan, in spite of the extreme likelihood of overlapping, for the
Dispensary nurses did a considerable amount of visiting. Now,
however, that the Dispensary has come under the direct control of
the Borough Council it is much to be desired that nurses alone
should visit, leaving the Sanitary Inspector to come in when there
Sire unhealthy conditions which can be remedied under statutory
powers. This will avoid the not unnatural irritation caused by
visits from many persons, particularly noticeable where it is impossible
to offer any material advantage either in the way of food
or treatment.
A dental scheme for giving dental treatment was in operation
during the year.