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formation of the Light Rescue Parties and had formed the
nucleus of the First Aid Posts established at various Hospitals
and Welfare Centres throughout the Borough. Younger members
of the staff were conscripted into the Services and employment
of temporary clerical assistance became necessary.
War-time conditions compelled the introduction of a
further Rent Restriction Act to safeguard the interests of the
community and this Act, which was made effective from April,
1939, extended the life of the principal Rents Acts until an
end to the National emergency had been declared.
Normal life of the Borough was inevitably upset by bomb
damage which first occurred in September, 1940, and continued
with very little respite until the cessation of hostilities, but
disruption of the health services was kept to a minimum.
Owing to extensive war-damage additional work was required
of the Sanitary Inspectors in connection with the Landlord and
Tenant (War Damage) Acts and the Food Inspectors were
untiring in their efforts to save as much food material as possible
from wrecked food premises.
Insanitary conditions brought about by the constant use
of air-raid shelters, resulted in the introduction of the Scabies
Order, 1941, making this complaint a notifiable disease.
Three Wartime Day Nurseries were established during 1942
and, due to the rationing of Clothes and Furnishings, a scheme
for the supply of extra clothing coupons to expectant mothers
was introduced. Vitamins and fruit juices were also made
available to nursing and expectant mothers and infants by the
Ministry of Food under a National Scheme.
In 1943 the Government ratified allowances for dependants
of sufferers from Tuberculosis who were expected to return to
work within a reasonable period.
Mass Miniature Radiography was introduced by the
London County Council in 1944 and in the same year the
Council agreed to participate in the Metropolitan Borough
Councils' scheme for the Care of Illegitimate Children. About
this time the Ministry, in order to reduce neo-natal deaths,
asked for a special investigation and report on all premature
infants, i.e., children born at 5½ lbs. weight or less.
In 1945 Domestic Helps were introduced for the benefit
of the old and infirm. The Council adopted schemes for
housing development throughout the Borough and, similarly
the London County Council were also considering the