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sustained by the introduction of Baby Shows, Mothercraft
competitions, Christmas parties, etc.
Regarding other Public Health work during this period, a yearly
'Rat Week" was instituted throughout the Borough in accordance
with the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919, and Royal approval
was given to the Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions Act, 1920.
After strong representations had been made by the Medical
Officer to the London County Council concerning unnecessary
duplication of visits by Health Visitors, authority was given in 1921
for the Greenwich Borough Council to assume powers under Section
2(2) of the Children Act, 1908, in respect of Foster-Mothers.
Prior to 1921 discussions had taken place concerning the purchase
of a site for a Maternity Home but as the suggested premises
in Maze Hill proved unsuitable the house at 78 Shooters Hill Road
was, with the Ministry's consent, acquired by the Council for this
purpose. The year 1921 also saw the conversion of Conduit House
and 105 Shooters Hill Road and 7 Infant Welfare and 2 Ante-Natal
sessions were being conducted there each week.
At this juncture the interim Tuberculosis Care Committee in
its work was obtaining assistance from six voluntary organisations
and the Council commenced its housing schemes with the erection of
164 houses at East Mascalls.
The early months of 1922 witnessed the opening of the Council's
Maternity Home at 78 Shooters Hill Road and in this respect the
Council must be commended on being pioneers in the establishment
of a Municipal Maternity Home. Accommodation at that time
consisted of 12 beds and during the first year of its existence the
Home dealt with 121 confinements.
In 1924 the Cleansing Station was opened and an Artificial
Sunlight Centre was suggested. This latter proposal led eventually
to the establishment in 1925 of the Council's first Sunlight Centre at
Conduit House.
During 1926 the accommodation at the Maternity Home was
increased to 20 beds, distributed in two general, one private, one
isolation and two labour wards.
In an effort to combat the rising cancer deaths, the Council,
with the Ministry's consent, opened a Tumour Diagnostic Clinic
toward the end of the year 1927. Provision for a further Health
Service was contained in a suggestion by the Medical Officer that a
plan for ' Schick ' testing and Diphtheria immunisation should be
introduced, but the scheme was not taken up. This year also saw
the compulsory registration and licensing of street traders under
the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1927.