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213
and this was undoubtedly responsible for some of the reported
cases.
A case of leprosy found to be living in the Borough in
unsuitable conditions was first removed to the Council's Isolation
Shelter and accommodation was finally procured for him in a
more rural suburb.
This year also saw the establishment by Miss McMillan of
a school Clinic or Health Centre at Deptford Green, and the
Council's Isolation Shelter was first used for the cleansing of
verminous children and the disinfection of their clothes.
Negotiations begun during 1912 resulted in the establishment
in 1913 of a Tuberculosis Dispensary with a Medical Officer
and two nurses in attendance and in the first Tuberculosis Report
for that year emphasis was laid on the need for an After-Care
Committee. At this time three Welfare Centres were in operation:
one at Deptford Green under the control of Miss McMillan, one
at the Albany Institute (which was also being used as a Babies'
Residential Home), and one at Conduit House. During this
period cod-liver oil, Parrish's food and ointments were being
distributed at these Centres at reduced cost.
It was during the following year, 1914, that the term
"Maternity and Child Welfare" was first used and this year saw
the appointment of the first full-time Health Visitor.
By 1915 an After-Care Committee for Tuberculosis patients
had been organised and it was about this time that the Council
took over the Voluntary Consultation Centre at Conduit House
and arranged for the distribution of dried milk, etc., at reduced
prices.
Further centres and creches were opened in 1917 and by
1918 there were three Health Visitors on the permanent staff.
In 1919 Diarrhoea and Zymotic Enteritis became permanently
notifiable and arrangements were made under the
Maternity and Child Welfare scheme for dental treatment; other
arrangements included similar treatment for tuberculosis patients
at the Dispensary. It was pointed out in the Medical Officer's
Annual Report for 1919 that conversion of premises by the
London Housing Board, acting on behalf of the Council, had
contravened Section 96 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891,
and in consequence the Council had become owners of properties
not complying with legal requirements in regard to basement
and underground rooms. It was also indicated in this Report
that the L.C.C. had added to the overcrowding problem by