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Infectious Disease
The number of cases of infectious diseases was a third less
than the total for last year. Measles accounted for more than a
half and although 20% were cases of Dysentery the majority of these
were in isolated outbreaks not connected. Scarlet Fever accounted
for 12%.
There were no notified cases of Diphtheria, Food Poisoning
Poliomyelitis or Typhoid.
Mobile Dwellings
During the year licences were granted to the London County
Council for the erection of 186 ijobile homes on various sites
throughout the Borough. Not only are they providing many families
with urgently needed accommodation but, at the same time, their
erection has reduced the number of open sites which have occasioned
so much nuisance and undesirable occupation by caravan trespassers
in the past.
Houses in Multiple Occupation
Work under this section of the Housing Act produced a number
of problems. There was difficulty on many occasions in establishing
not only the ownership of premises but also the occupation of
individual rooms. The frequent changes of the tenancy of rooms
made it necessary for regular revisiting of all premises registered
under this section of the Housing Act and, in many cases, this
entailed inspection at night.
As the survey of the Borough proceeded and more premises oame
under surveillance, in order that satisfactory progress be maintaine1
a separate section dealing full-time with the problems of multiple
occupation has been created.
It is important that the practice of over-occupation of houses
be stopped before it becomes out of control. The law needs strengthening
so that houses suitable for multiple occupation can be registered
before reoccupation, as the nuisance is made worse by owners
many being recent immigrants, who purchase old property when vacant
and proceed, in many cases, to let each room separately.
Welfare
The Welfare Section of the Department dealing with the ascertainment
of the needs of old people and their problems is now well
established and the number of cases registered is expanding. The
regular routine viniting where necessary and checking of living
conditions and welfare is maintained. At the same time every
effort is made to discover new cases where assistance is required.
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