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neighbourhood, came to the Clinic, so a Branch Centre was opened in
St. James' Mission Hall, Netherwood Street, which soon became popular
with the mothers in that district. Later, in 1933, this Branch moved to
better premises in the Health Institute.
Toddlers Clinics were started at the Health Institute in 1931. They
were only held every two months, but this increased by 1933 to weekly
Clinics.
In 1939, at the threat of war, the Clinics closed down on the 1st
September, but the Health Institute opened again on the 12th September.
Owing to a serious drop in income caused by the war, the Infant
Welfare Committee resolved that it could not take any financial responsi¬bility
for the Centres after the 31st October, but would willingly continue
to assist in the work.
The Infant Welfare Committee was dissolved and the Voluntary
Helpers Committee for Infant Welfare was formed, with Mrs. Grundy
as Chairman, Miss Forsyth as Vice-Chairman, and Mrs. Watson Shields
as Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.
SANITARY ADMINISTRATION.
On the whole, despite the stress and strain of the abnormal conditions
prevailing throughout the year, I think it may be fairly stated that there
has been steady progress in the field of environmental sanitation.
There has undoubtedly been a heavy increase in the work of your
Sanitary Inspectors, particularly with regard to the maintenance repairs
of houses. This alone has resulted in the service of 2,844 Intimation
Notices, a figure which almost trebles the number of such Notices served
during the pre-war years.
The condition of bombed sites and water tanks with the constantly
recurring nuisances arising thereon has caused much concern. Organic
refuse is being removed from these sites almost daily by the Borough
Engineer's staff and this Department is likewise dealing with any rat
infestations which arise. The National Fire Service has also been most
co-operative in pumping out water from the E.W.S. tanks, on request.
Despite these efforts, the problem which is common throughout the
Metropolitan area, continues to be an urgent one and representation has
been made to the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee
thereon.
Food and drink infections and the inspection and supervision of food
supplies, continue to receive close attention.
The problems of rodent control and vermin are being actively
combated, and it is pleasing to record the successful results being achieved
by the use of D.D.T. preparations in the eradication of vermin pests.
Staff.—Mr. Thomas H. Marshall was appointed a District Sanitary
Inspector and commenced duty in September, 1947.
The duties of Miss C. G. Lambe, Lady Sanitary Inspector, who
formerly devoted 40 per cent, of her time to Maternity and Child Welfare
work, have been revised so that she is now engaged full time on enquiries
into rehousing applications and infectious diseases.
In November, 1947, the question of the adequacy of the number of
Sanitary Officers in the Department was considered by the Public Health
Committee. It was pointed out that despite the increases in duties and
responsibilities placed upon Sanitary Inspectors by new legislation and
otherwise, the present inspectoral staff of ten was only two more than