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79
In spite of much damage to water mains and sewers, there were no cases of
infectious disease due to contaminated water supplies, thanks to the effectiveness of
the measures taken by the Metropolitan Water Board.
The destruction and damage of housing, however, caused great problems which
persisted for years after the war and which have still not been solved.
After the official evacuation of mothers and children in the early stages of the
war, many returned and, to provide for mothers who went out to work, mostly on
work connected with the special war effort, the largest number of Day Nurseries in
the history of the Borough had to be established. At one time there were in all
fifteen war-time Day Nurseries, with over 800 children.
In 1944 all the Health Visitors employed by the Voluntary Welfare Centres
became members of the Borough Council's staff, as well as the Municipal Health
Visitors, in order that their work might be more equitably organised and the Health
Visitors placed to the best advantage. This, one feels, was a change which Dr. Harris
himself would definitely have approved.
Dr. Katherine Hirst, in 1945 and 1946 was acting Medical Officer of Health
during the temporary absence of Dr. Freeman, who was released for service in the
R.A.M.C. with Allied Military Government on the Continent.
In 1945 the death occurred of the Honorary Secretary of the South Islington
Welfare Centre, Mrs. Waley Joseph, the co-founder with Lady Andrews, of the
South Islington Welfare Centre, and both ladies had carried out most valuable work
in this part of the Borough.
A major change took place in 1948, when, with the implementation of the
National Health Service Act, 1946, maternity and child welfare work was transferred
to the London County Council, and the Tuberculosis Dispensaries to the Hospital
Authorities.
Present outlook and some problems for the future.
This now brings the Public Health history of the Borough to modern times.
Summer diarrhoea which was formerly the greatest single danger to infants under
twelve months was now practically unknown in the form in which it had originally
occurred. Measles, whooping cough, bronchitis and pneumonia, although still a risk,
have been very considerably reduced as dangers. Diphtheria is becoming a rare
disease, and although there is much still to be done, it is now possible to give some
protection against whooping cough.
Although we have subdued many, we have not yet conquered all groups of
infectious disease. Poliomyelitis is one of the infections which have increased in
the last few years, but it still does not affect great numbers, and inoculation against
poliomyelitis which has just commenced will, it is hoped, reduce the risks.
Dysentery and bacterial food poisoning, are widespread, and even appear to be
increasing. They can be dangerous, but in the main they have a nuisance value
which, however, it is important to reduce.
Tuberculosis, although reduced in mortality, is the major infectious disease
problem which we have not yet succeeded in solving satisfactorily. There are still
close on 3,000 persons in the Borough who are suffering from or are under observation
on account of Tuberculosis, mainly Tuberculosis of the lungs, and many of
whom act as possible sources of infection to others. There must also be a considerable
number who, probably unknowingly, have contracted Tuberculosis and who
will have to seek medical advice later on.
The rapid build-up of Housing in Islington referred to by the early Medical
Officers of Health, who clearly foresaw the congestion and trouble it would cause,