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both big toes, but she was unaware that anything was amiss. She
complained of no pain and apart from the fact that her feet had
ached at times there was nothing wrong with them last time she
had seen them. The right foot was definitely gangrenous and the
other foot was in an earlier stage of the same condition. She was in
need of food. The feet were cleansed and covered. The police were
advised that hospital attention was essential. Permission was obtained
for her to be taken to Hospital instead of Court.
Another, an inhabitant of Barnes, an old man aged 84, living
with his son aged 49, was brought to the Baths suffering from body
lice. The old man said he had not had a bath since his wife died
about 50 years ago, and the son said he was sure this statement
was true. The story was not belied by witness. After the bath
the old man's feet were so sore he found it painful to walk.
Health Laundry.
The Health Laundry can no longer be considered the junior
partner at the Disinfection Station. Rather can it be likened to a
hub around which the other work revolves because this work must
keep to a planned time-table, although this time-table must allow
flexibility to cope with cleansings and other outside work. Unless
collections and deliveries are made within stipulated times the
co-operation needed at the homes is not forthcoming.
The new machines, which were installed in 1956, are still
giving excellent results and the number of articles passing through
them increases every year as is shown by the figures below.
It is not the length of time which the service runs for any
particular individual that really matters, but that a need can be
met at a time when it is essential, and having given a promise to
do the work, to faithfully carry it through.
At times the work can be unpleasant in character and the staff
are thankful that the Council has done all in its power to make the
working conditions as favourable as possible.
Forty-two initial visits were made upon request for the
service, and 90 subsequent visits were made to the homes to
ascertain progress.
A lady of 85 living with her almost blind daughter, first
brought to our notice in 1953, is one of the worthy cases still on
the list and receiving help. Another, a female of 31 with advanced
disseminated sclerosis, has been receiving help for the past 18
months, and in January of this year the service was started for an
old lady aged 101. Her enjoyment of life is a tribute to her
daughter who, although born with a partial right sided paralysis
68 years ago, anticipates all her mother's requirements.
Requests for the service come mainly from Home Helps,
District Nurses, Hospitals, Doctors and Welfare Associations, and
it should be appreciated that this is an essential service which
covers only those cases falling within the terms of Section 122 of
the Public Health (London) Act, 1936.