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46
the attention of the borough council was drawn to the matter. In many of the premises in which
overcrowding was reported, it was possible, by a slight re-arrangement of the accommodation, to bring
about an improvement in the conditions, but, in other cases, the foster-mother was requested to obtain
other and more suitable premises or give up the nurse infant. It was found to be particularly difficult
to enforce the former requirement, owing to shortage of housing accommodation, and, as a consequence,
the infant was, in most cases, given up.
In the case of the illness of a nurse infant, the assistance of the local Infant Welfare Centre is
obtained ; foster-mothers being urged and encouraged to take ailing infants there, and to obtain and
follow up the advice given. It is the duty of the visitors to see that any treatment that may be advised
is duly carried out. There is no doubt that the help afforded by the Local Infant Welfare Centres has produced
very beneficial results. It may be noted also that on reaching the age of five years the nurse infant
is generally sent to school, in which case, it comes within the purview of the school medical service,
and thus continues to receive any necessary medical supervision.
The deaths of nurse infants during the year continued to fall in number, as there were only 26 as
compared with 51 in 1919, and 103 in 1918. This is exceedingly satisfactory, and gives hope that the
number of deaths may continue to fall. Inquests were held in 5 cases, as compared with 16 of the previous
year ; the verdicts were 3 deaths from natural causes, as compared with 12 of the previous year, one
from misadventure (swallowing spirits of salts) and one child was run over by a motor-bus.
The irregularities discovered reached a total of 318 in respect of which 302 written cautions were
sent. The number of cases of legal proceedings was 16, and 16 convictions were obtained. The sentences
and costs amounted to £35 8s. Two persons convicted received terms of imprisonment.
In last year's report reference was made to the fact that the Council had been approached by
the London War Pensions Committee with a view to the inspection by the Council's officers of homes
in which the neglected children of deceased or serving soldiers and sailors had been placed by that committee.
Since the arrangement has been in force no less than 266 homes have been inspected, of which
205 were found to be suitable, both as regards the foster-parents and the accommodation at their disposal;
while in 47 cases it was advised that the children of the committee should not be placed there, and
in 14 cases the application was withdrawn before an inspection could be made.
During the year the question of the amendment of this part of the Act has been again under consideration
; but no action has been so far taken with a view to the promotion of an amending Bill in the
House.
Work of the Chemical Branch.
A reorganisation of the staff of this branch has provided more suitable arrangements for carrying
out the work of the central laboratory at Savoy-hill, of the two laboratories at the Northern and Southern
Outfalls, and of the newly-established laboratory at the Greenwich Power Station.
Central
Laboratory.
The general work of the central laboratory has included the examination of a great variety of
materials required by the Council for their undertakings, including milk and other meals supplied to
necessitous children; materials examined as to general suitability or compliance with specification
such as paints, oils, metals, cements, and other building materials; fuel, soaps and other cleansing
materials; fertilisers and feeding-stuffs (for cattle or poultry); and oils and petroleums examined under
Acts of Parliament regulating their storage.
The Chemist and Staff at the Central Laboratory have carried out various investigations on matters
of outstanding importance. The Council has for many years co-operated in the work of the Advisory
Committee on atmospheric pollution, which is now connected with the Meteorological Office; but in
addition the air of underground London, both in the Tube railways and in some of the Council's tunnels
under the Thames, has been the subject of careful investigation. The chemical and bacteriological condition
of the air of the underground railway was examined with the help of officers of the railway, who
have afforded every possible assistance in connection with this work.
The great use which is made of the tunnels under the Thames has, by congestion at certain hours,
given rise to problems of ventilation. Examinations, made under varied conditions of the air of these
tunnels have included determinations of humidity, carbon-dioxide, acidity, and the collection, estimation,
and microscopical and chemical examination of dust. In addition, use has been made of an automatic
filter which gives a continuous visible record of the dirt in the atmosphere. Examinations have also
been made in the open air and in a shallow tramway tunnel. The peculiar condition of fog observed in
deep tunnels appears to be very largely due to the changed nature of the traffic. The introduction of
power-driven vehicles has caused a new kind of atmospheric pollution.
The air in various theatres and picture-theatres has been examined. In several cases the results
indicated the need for improved ventilation.
The examination of the atmosphere in degreasing and dry-cleaning machines of the closed type
used at certain works in the county continued to show that, probably under stress of work, the requirements
as to a definitely non-explosive atmosphere, obtained by means of an inert gas are not always
complied with. Some of the firms in question have obtained apparatus for testing the gas, in their
machines, and have been advised as to its use. It is hoped that the effect of the quality of cleaning spirit
now in use on the safe limits of composition of the gas may be investigated in the near future. A very
serious explosion in a degreasing plant several years ago directed attention to this matter. Various cases
of failure of materials under conditions of use have been investigated.
River Lee
The condition of the River Lee, in consequence of the pollution arising from the effluent of the
Enfield Sewage Works passing into an intercepting drain and thence into the Lee below Tottenham Lock
has continued to give anxiety. The chemist has at intervals made a careful examination of the conditions
arising from this pollution. Above the lock the Lee is a clean stream with a clean bed. Below