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from the Continent, rooms were prepared for persons who, having been
exposed to infection, might be housed temporarily for observation, but
so far they have not been required.
The Council made arrangements whereby soldiers in uniform could
have free use of public conveniences, and of the swimming and slipper
baths at the various Public Baths.
Naval Stations.—A number of guard rooms for men employed in
connection with searchlights, &c,, exist in Westminster. These have
also been looked after and the Admiralty have acted any any suggestions
which have been made for improvements in connection therewith.
Refugees.—Westminster has been the centre for dealing with large
numbers of refugees. The old skating rink in Aldwych has been utilised
as a clearing house. They are registered there, and in many instances
provided with food and clothing. It has been visited daily by one
of the sanitary inspectors. Poland Street Workhouse, which had been
unoccupied for some time, was acquired to house refugees who were
Jews. As this place had been dismantled, the water supply and
sanitary fittings had to be re-instated and the rooms disinfected and
cleansed under the supervision of the Department. The number of
people in residence fluctuates as accommodation is found elsewhere for
the refugees, but as many as 1,200 men, women and children have been
there at one time. They were chiefly Polish Jews who had been living
in Belgium, and a great deal of sanitary supervision has been found
necessary. A medical man attends daily and a hospital has been fitted
up with a matron and a staff of nurses. Twelve refugees who came
over in one party developed typhoid fever, but otherwise the amount of
infectious disease which has occurred has not been great. The chief
trouble has been the verminous condition of many of the refugees.
Baths for the children were put in, and the Council granted the free
use of slipper baths at the Public Baths adjoining.
Other premises near Victoria Station, capable of accommodating 200
persons, were in use for a time until the Asylums Board made arrangements
for refugees at Alexandra Palace, Earl's Court and elsewhere.
The number of refugees received in this country up to the end of
the year totalled 59,695.
Various premises have been utilised for the reception and distribution
of clothing. These have been regularly visited, and when necessary the
rooms and clothing have been fumigated.
During the first few months work in the tailoring and dress making
trades was slack, but a number of distress workrooms have been opened
to provide work for women thrown out of employment and these have
been visited and assistance rendered by the women sanitary inspectors
in connection therewith. Tailors found work sooner by making clothing
for officers and men.