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56
Case No. 3
This o]d lady, aged 79 years, became known to the Pub]ic
Health Department in 1958, when she was quite mobile, clean, tidy
and co-operative. In January 1959, her only daughter died and
she became distrustful of people. In June 1959, due to drunkeness,
the old lady had a fall in the street, was admitted to hospital
and was discharged in August. She was unable to look after herself.
The accommodation she occupied was sparsely furnished but reasonably
clean. The old lady was seen after her discharge when she
was. most aggressive and abusive to everyone who tried to help
her, including another tenant in the house. She demanded constant
attention day and night. Due to her habits and constant state of
inebriation it became very difficult to obtain voluntary help.
She was visited by the Duly Authorised Officer but no action
could be taken under the Mental Health Acts. Conditions deteriorated
to such an extent that it became necessary for the Medical
Officer of Health to take action under Section 47 of the National
Assistance Act, 1948. The old lady was removed to a home on 7th
October, 1959, She did not settle in and was still aggressive
and difficult. The Order for her detention was renewed on 18th
November, 1959, and she was still in the home at the end of the
year. In all 30 visits were made in connection with this case by
the Public Health Visitor.
Home Bathing Service
In January 1959, the Public Health Committee submitted to
the Council proposals for the provision of Home Baths for aged
persons. These proposals were agreed to. Brief notes on the scheme
are set out below.
Authority for the provision of the scheme
This is contained in Section 43 of the London County Council
(General Powers) Act, 1953, as follows :-
"Power to sanitary authority to cleanse aged and feeble
persons in their homes - (1) where it appears to a sanitary
authority upon a report from the Medical Officer of Health or
a sanitary inspector for their district that any aged person
within their district -
(a) is verminous or is for any other reason in need of cleansing
in order to prevent injury or the danger of injury t°
health ; and