London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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London County Council 1920

Annual report of the Council, 1920. Vol. III. Public Health

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xxii
(iii.) When any such film as herein mentioned is shown no other film may be used
without special permission.
(iv.) Nothing herein is to be taken to limit the Council's right to object to the display
of any film or any part thereof, and to require the exclusion of persons of any age (or class)
from premises on which any films of the above-mentioned character are shown.
(v.) Children or young persons under the age of 18 years shall not be admitted to the
display of such films.
(vi.) As regards the public health or educational aspect of such films, such further
conditions as may be prescribed by the Council on the recommendation of the Public
Health Committee or the Education Committee.
In connection with the future arrangements for publicity, we think it desirable that some of the
money now voted for this purpose should be used by the Council itself for circulating valuable information
at its disposal amongst voluntary societies concerned in hostel and rescue work generally, such
as the Women Police, Police Court Missionaries, Young Men's Christian Association, Young Women's
Christian Association, Church Army, Salvation Army, and other bodies interested either, directly
or indirectly, in dealing with venereal diseases.

GRANTS TO N.C.C.V.D.

Year:—
1117£300 for lectures.
1918£300 for lectures.
1918£2,000 for press campaign,
1919£800 for lectures.
1919£2,000 for press campaign
1920£1,000 for lectures.
1920£2,000 for press campaign

VII.
The Social Aspects of the Venereal Diseases Problem.
Hostels.—In connection with the development of the venereal diseases scheme in London,
reference has already been made to the institution of hostels for girls and young women in attendance
at the clinics, and it has been pointed out that it was agreed to contribute a grant-in-aid to these
hostels, on the grounds that they increased the efficiency of treatment and reduced the possibilities of
the spread of infection. At the end of the year 1920 there were seven such hostels actually in operation,
with a total accommodation of about 80 beds, and although, as must inevitably happen, some fluctuation
occurs in the demand for accommodation, it may fairly be stated that, as a rule, the whole of the beds
are more or less in constant occupation. Indeed, there is ample evidence to show that there is a real
demand for more accommodation of a similar kind.
All the hostels are managed by committees of voluntary workers, and the grant-in-aid
represents about one-quarter of the total cost of maintenance. The whole of the original capital outlay
is provided by funds raised by the voluntary committees, and the balance of the annual cost of maintenance
is made up by weekly contributions from the inmates, and subscriptions and donations secured
by the same committees. The actual all-in cost per bed per week is remarkably low, averaging
from 25s. to 30s. per week (or rather less than half of the cost per week of a hospital bed).
The staff usually consists of a matron (who may or may not be a trained nurse, and may or may not
have some special experience of venereal disease), and a small domestic staff. The bulk of the domestic
work is done by the patients themselves. A certain amount of attention is given to the moral and
spiritual welfare of the inmates, but the hostel differs from the rescue home in that this is not the
dominant characteristic of the life of the institution, though it is desired to emphasise the fact that this
important consideration is by no means an insignificant feature. Too much importance cannot be
attached to the opportunity afforded by a girl's prolonged residence in a hostel for the good influence
exercised by a matron of the right type, and it is satisfactory to be able to place on record the opinion that
in this respect, the good influences resulting from the kindness, sympathy, tactfulness, and, above all,
motherliness of the matrons in charge, are obvious to any one who takes the trouble to visit these
institutions and enquire into their records. It should be stated that in three of the hostels the patients
are, either entirely or mainly cases of pregnancy complicated by venereal disease, and it would be difficult
to exaggerate the value of the work done in cases of this kind both for the mother and the unborn child.
During the year 1920, the attention of the Public Health Committee of the London County
Council has been drawn on several occasions to the need for further accommodation (a) for
girls and women patients in attendance at venereal disease clinics, and (b) also girls rescued from
the streets by rescue workers. Accommodation for the latter class may be said to be more
or less available in refuges and rescue homes, but it is contended by some persons, who speak with
a knowledge resulting from a long experience, that refuges and rescue homes do not entirely meet the
real need. Inasmuch as refuges and rescue homes are numerous, their total bed accommodation
considerable, and that they are well scattered over the area of the County of London, it was felt that
some enquiry into the work actually undertaken by these institutions was necessary before any further
action in the direction of the further accommodation suggested could be taken. Moreover, the question