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The extension to the Maternity Home was opened in 1934,
as was the new Sanitary Convenience at Creek Road, and it was
during this year that the Board of Education asked for the
co-operation of the Medical Officer in approving the source and
quality of pasteurised milk to be supplied at reduced cost to
schools in the area. The first "toddlers" Clinic was also introduced
during this period.
The year 1935 was a landmark in Greenwich Public Health
—two new Welfare Centres were opened, one at Charlton Lane
in January and one at Creek Road in June—the Maternity Home
was renovated and electricity installed—a Birth Control Clinic
commenced in Woolwich Road—a Foot Clinic was established
affording chiropody facilities at 1/- per treatment and a scheme
was devised to enable necessitous diabetic people to obtain
regular supplies of insulin.
The overcrowding survey carried out under the Housing
Act, 1935, was practically completed during this year and it was
estimated that there were approximately 1,000 basement rooms
in the Borough only a few of which were of the worst type.
In 1936 there was a spate of legislation including a new
Public Health (London) Act and a new Housing Act, both of
which became operative in 1937. Owing to increased demand an
extension of the Foot Clinics became necessary and an additional
chiropodist was appointed, the total treatments given
during 1936 numbering 3,557. It was during this period that
ozonisation was introduced in the Cold Air Stores in the Borough
to rid products of smells and tastes of pungent flavours acquired
during transit or storage.
As a result of application and enquiries from parents
regarding diphtheria prophylaxis, the Council resolved in
September of 1936 to inaugurate a scheme for Diphtheria Immunisation
for children up to the age of 14 years, immunisation
being carried out mainly at the Seamen's Hospital Laboratory.
Dr. M. Macdonald relinquished his post in August 1936
upon his reaching retiring age and Dr. F. R. Waldron, who at
that time was Assistant Medical Officer and Tuberculosis Officer,
succeeded him in this assignment.
At the beginning of 1937 the Public Health staff evacuated
its offices and took up temporary accommodation at Devonport
House in order that the work of the erection of the New Town
Hall on the site of the old Borough Hall could proceed. It was
during this year that the appointment of a full-time clerk to the