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ment of the Brook Estate in the Kidbrooke area. Meanwhile
the difficult housing situation was being met by the erection of
E.F.M. dwellings on Blackheath and other vacant sites.
During 1946, the Shooter's Hill Road and Pound Park
Nurseries were taken over by the L.C.C. and a "points" system
was introduced by the Housing Department to determine housing
priorities. At the same time the Council indicated its
intention to participate in the Ministry of Food Rodent Control
scheme and appointed 16 special investigators and operatives.
The year 1946 was of great significance in the life of the
Metropolitan Boroughs. Introduction of the National Health
Service Act of this year was eventually to lead to the transference
to alien authorities of the M. & C.W. and many other
services which had been brought to a high level of efficiency
over a period of years by local management.
The first official attempt to secure the elimination of
pathogenic organisms from Ice Cream was made in 1947 by the
introduction of the Ice Cream (Heat Treatment, etc.)
Regulations.
By direction of the Ministry a survey of underground water
supply was undertaken to ascertain the quality and use to
which it was being put and a summary of the results were
included in the 1947 Annual Report.
An extension of the Rodent Control Scheme was made
during this period and the Council's decision concerning the
establishment of an Anti-Fly and Mosquito Scheme which had
been taken the previous year was implemented. The Anti-Fly
and Mosquito campaign is now a well established Public Health
Service and commences in May of each year and continues
until October.
In anticipation of the establishment of a Regional Hospital
Chest Clinic under the recently introduced Health Service Act,
a new Tuberculosis Care Committee was formed in 1947 and
an Almoner was appointed specifically for this work. At the
same time arrangements were made with Dr. Young for the
Senior Chiropodist to treat diabetic patients, one session per
week, at St. Alfege's Hospital. In accordance with decisions
taken earlier two new Clinics—Fairfield House and Ridgebrook
Road—were also opened by the Council during 1947, bringing
the total number of Welfare Clinics in operation to 8.
The year 1948 witnessed the greatest change in Public
Health Administration since the inception of the Metropolitan