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unfortunate that a tenant who is willing to do so cannot be assisted in a similar
manner.
Health in many ways and especially in the avoidance of mental disturbance
leading to anxieties, anti-social behaviour and delinquency, depends largely on a
harmonious and affectionate family life and happy families are found more frequently
in good houses than in bad ones. Unless therefore something can be done to improve
the amenities and standards of housing of those families who will have to live in
the old houses of Poplar for many years to come the standard of health of the
people of the Borough is likely to lag behind that of those more fortunate areas
where housing is of a higher quality.
It is gratifying to note that in the new housing development in Poplar carried
out by the Borough Council and by the County Council it has been possible to include
at least some houses as well as the more general flat development. Although there
are some exceptions, in my opinion, a flat is not the best place in which to bring
up a family.
In the report which follows a summary is given of the work relating to those
health duties of the Council which are dealt with by the Public Health Department.
A very brief mention is also made of baths, wash-houses and of public cleansing
which are not dealt with by the Public Health Department. It is sometimes forgotten
or not appreciated that nearly all the duties of the Council are concerned with
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