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deceased was a native of Ireland and no relatives could be
traced, either by the police or by this Department. The cost
of interment was bourne by the Council.
4. The body of Mr. A. G., was found in his flat and, on the
Coroner's instructions, was removed to Southwark Mortuary
where, following a post mortem, death was found to be due
to aortic incompetence and stenosis. The Coroner's Officer
made extensive inquiries, but no relatives could be traced and,
therefore, this Department arranged for the burial. Certain
furniture and effects of no value were collected from the
deceased's address and destroyed. A National Health
Insurance Card was recovered, however, and an amount of
£6 was received from the Ministry of Pensions in this case.
SECTION 47. Under Section 47 of the Act, the Council are empowered
to apply to a Court for an Order for the removal to hospital,
or other institution, of a person who is aged, infirm or physically
incapacitated, who is living in insanitary conditions and who is "unable
to devote to himself, and is not receiving from other persons, proper
care and attention".
In addition, the National Assistance (Amendment) Act, which
came into force in 1951, authorises a magistrate to order the emergency
removal of such people to an institution on certification by the Medical
Officer of Health and another practitioner, for periods not exceeding
three weeks.
Twelve cases were brought to our notice during the year, but only
in the three cases reported below was it necessary to use the powers
under the Act: —
1. At the request of the District Sanitary Inspector I visited a
flat in one of the Council's tenements occupied by Mrs. R.,
aged 86 yrs., and her son, aged 62 yrs. Mrs. R., who was
incontinent, had been looked after and kept clean by the son.
Unfortunately, he was a cripple and in failing health, and he
had reached a state where the worry and physical effort of
looking after his mother was causing him nervous disorder.
Attempts were made to persuade Mrs. R., to enter an institution
voluntarily, but she refused and, in the circumstances,
it was necessary to take action under the Acts. I therefore
signed a certificate in accordance with Section 1 of the
National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951, which was
countersigned by Mrs. R's medical practitioner. Application
was then made by the Town Clerk to one of Her Majesty's
Justices of the Peace for an Order committing Mrs. R., to
to an institution for a period not exceeding 14 days. Mrs. R.,
was subsequently removed to Newington Lodge, Westmoreland
Road, S.E.17, where, I regret to report, she died ten
days after being admitted.
2. Following a number of complaints of smells from a cottage in
the borough, I paid a visit to Mr. A., aged 61 yrs., the tenant.