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70
Poisons List Order, 1950, which amends the Poisons List by the
addition of certain substances; and (b) the Poison Rules, 1950,
which provides for certain requirements and restrictions in the
dispensing of Part I poisons.
During the year 4 applications for licences to sell poisons under
Part II were received and 66 vendors applied for retention in the
Council's List. All were duly considered and approved.
Eleven inspections were carried out in accordance with the
above Act.
Aged, Infirm and Physically Incapacitated Persons.—
As in previous years, cases of infirm persons who are unable to
maintain a reasonable standard of cleanliness owing to senility or illhealth
are still being brought to the notice of the Department by
neighbours' complaints, by the Secretaries of Old Peoples' Associations
and other Organisations, and occasionally by Hospital Almoners.
Additional cases are brought to light in the course of the
Lady Sanitary Inspector's visits to Almshouses, etc.
During the year the Lady Inspector made 1,074 visits in connection
with the aged and infirm and on 30 occasions visited Rest
Homes and Hospitals in respect of patients admitted as a result of
the efforts made by this Department. While on the subject of hospital
treatment it must be recorded that a very happy association
exists between Dr. Young, the Physician Superintendent at St.
Alfege's Hospital, and this Department and great reliance is placed
on our reports in support of efforts to find accommodation for the
elderly sick and infirm of the Borough.
In last year's report it had been pointed out that under the new
Health Act little provision had been made specifically for old
people and it is apparent that the care of the elderly undoubtedly
presents great difficulties. Frequently they are not sufficiently ill
to warrant admission to hospital and yet they are too infirm for
admission to an institution. It is at this time that they require the
help and attention which only a relative can give. Unfortunately,
it is here that one meets the greatest difficulties: it seems that the
elderly people have natural aversion to the notification of their
plight to relatives and in order to avoid this situation they tend to
suffer in silence and alone and, almost without exception, they are
adamant in their decision to remain in their own homes.
An arrangement such as exists at Trinity Hospital appears to
be a reasonable solution to the problem, i.e. separate room or flat
for each inmate with opportunities for a communal life, if so desired,
and at the same time the existence of adequate facilities for medical
attention.