View report page

78
1935]
OTHER INSTITUTIONS.
Islington Institution, St. John's Road, N.—Accommodation for 1,525 (including
those for "Petty Officers," that is, those inmates who are employed in the
Institution). In "Sick" Ward: Males, 131 beds; females, 194; (also 38 beds
in ward closed for repairs). In "Infirm" Ward: Males, 173 beds; females,
249; 8 beds, nursing and expectant mothers. In Main body of the Institution
(including the "Petty Officers" accommodation) for the able-bodied cases
and Receiving Ward : Males, 485 beds; females, 213; and 34 cots.
Duchess of York Centre (Maternity), Essex Road.—No "beds," but clinic, and
receives cases for Royal Free Hospital.
North Islington Nursery School, 110, Tollington Park, N.4.—Opened 28th May,
1930. 50 children under 5 years.
Islington Dispensary, 303, Upper Street.
Islington Medical Mission, Britannia Row.
The Almeric Paget Massage Corps, Islington Centre, Britannia Row, N.l (Light
treatment, Massage, etc.).
Child Guidance Clinic, Tudor House, Canonbury Place, N.l.
Clinics, etc., not including Public Assistance, were enumerated on page 79 of the
Report for 1931.
PROPAGANDA WORK.
The activities of the department are tabulated in poster form, these posters
being on boards in the most prominent parts of the Borough. The Empire Marketing
Board at Islington Green eventually came under the control of this department
and was utilized for the display of artistic posters on child welfare. The blue
covered booklet, "Hints on the Care and Feeding of Infants," was revised so as to
include recent activities of the department and to emphasize these more in view of
the decision of the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee as regards home helps,
etc.; also to make more widely known the facilities which are not so readily taken
advantage of, as for instance, protection against Diphtheria. The activities of
the Welfare Centres are also described in a leaflet issued by the Public Health
Department, entitled, "The Islington Child—The Citizen of the Future," which
deals with the welfare of little children.
The year 1936 being a review year, it is proposed to further revise and
augment the propaganda work. The literature on Measles, Whooping Cough,
Diphtheria, Scarlet Fever, Infectious Disease—Law, was widely distributed
during the year, as also were the "instructions to foster parents," this latter more
especially in connection with infant life protection work. A large number of leaflets
on the "Bed Bug" and on "Flies" were issued, in view of their educational
value as propaganda in health and cleanliness, to emphasize the fact that the
slightest infestation is far better attacked at once, because when such invasion
progresses in a household it frequently gets beyond the control of the tenant, and
eventually involves the dislodgment of woodwork, and redecoration. The
Housing Department were supplied with leaflets for the instruction of the tenants
in the Council's properties.
During the year the "Health Talks" and Mothercraft Classes were carried
on as previously by the four Voluntary Welfare Centres. Requests were received
for short lectures from several social Organizations; these were provided by sending
a member of the staff, and at the larger meetings the Medical Officer of Health
attended.