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which all have laboured, it is not much less than marvellous that no
epidemics have occurred. Really comparable figures are not available,
but it is quite clear that there has been no serious increase in any of
the common infectious diseases in this Borough during the war and
no re-appearance of uncommon infections. There certainly has been
a considerable rise in the number of cases of scabies treated in the
bathing centre, but this disease, though a serious nuisance, carries no
threat to life and is readily curable.
Infection has, however, been a serious trouble in the day nurseries.
There were two day nurseries in the Borough when war broke out;
both were transferred to country premises at once and have not yet
returned. As the demand for women workers increased, war-time
day nurseries were opened in various parts of the Borough, and we
received much help from the London County Council in this matter.
Three nurseries, taking twenty children each, were opened in school
premises in Riley Street, Credon Road and Townsend Street. The
latter school is in Southwark, but it was agreed that we should be
responsible for the running of the nursery. Since August, 1942, we
have also had the use of the Kintore Way Nursery School. This
beautiful school was opened by the London County Council just before
the war and has been ideal as a day nursery, taking sixty children.
Five other nurseries were opened in what are known as "hutted"
buildings provided by the Ministry of Health ; these are at Rother-hithe
Street, Fulford Street, Tenda Road, Whitstable Street and
Marine Street. These nurseries take fifty children. Admission has
not been limited to Bermondsey children, the qualification being solely
that the mother is employed in war work. They are open from
7 a.m. till 7 p.m. and on Saturday mornings ; breakfast, dinner and tea
are provided, with some few additional items which may be ordered
by the doctor, such as fruit juice or emulsion. Each mother pays Is.
a day. Very conflicting opinions are held as to the value of day nurseries.
We have had two major troubles with ours —infectious disease
and staffing difficulties. Our nurseries have rarely been free from
infection and there have been long periods of quarantine with a
resultant low average attendance and high cost of operation. Staff
difficulties have been serious ; much depends on the matron. At
Kintore Way and Tenda Road two of our own experienced Health
Visitors have been matrons —Miss Lawrence at Kintore Way and
Miss Crundwell at Tenda Road; these two nurseries have been run
excellendy. With the other nurseries we have not been so successful
and this is undoubtedly due to lack of suitable staff. Many of the
persons directed to us for this service have been totally unsuited for
this kind of work. If any of these nurseries are continued after the
war, the selection of a suitable staff will certainly be of prime
importance, since these folk do in fact replace the mother for many
hours of every day.
One of the most painful features associated with this war has been