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V
of 1916. The Order enables local authorities to provide medical,
including nursing, assistance for the poorer inhabitants in their district
when suffering from these diseases. It will cause a considerable increase
in clerical work, and expense in fees. As special attention is asked to
be given to young children suffering from the disease, it is probable that
equally good results might have been obtained had notification been
restricted to children. Hitherto, intimation of school children suffering
from measles has been received from the teachers, and the families in
Westminster have been visited, and where necessary nursing attendance
has been obtained.
In my report for 1914, I detailed the work which had ensued in
consequence of 'the war. Co-operation with the Army authorities has
been continued, and assistance rendered where possible. During 1915,
while the various regimental headquarters were kept under weekly
supervision, serious improvements had not to be carried out, but several
hundred dwellings were inspected as to their suitability for billets. It
is satisfactory to note that objection had to be taken on sanitary grounds
to less than a dozen. Considerable work has resulted from the establishment
of headquarters for the Canadian and Australian Forces, the utilisation
of private houses as hospitals for officers, from the erection or
conversion of existing premises into clubs and rest huts, from the
fumigation of verminous clothing, and in connection with cases of
infectious disease among soldiers, or in houses in which they were
staying. In view of the prevalence of scarlet fever, diphtheria, and
cerebro-spinal meningitis much care had to be taken to prevent infection
being carried by soldiers to their regiments.
Contractors for the supply of food for the Army have also been
regularly visited, and the quality of the meat, vegetables, &c., used and
the methods employed have been kept under supervision.
Outworkers' premises, especially where Army work was being carried
out, have received special attention.
Refugees.—-Westminster continued for a good part of the year a's a
centre for dealing with refugees, and at the Refuge in Poland Street a
large number of Jewish refugees have been housed. This place entailed
much supervision in the early days. An inspector has visited the
premises daily.
With regard to general sanitary work, the Council accepted the
suggestion of the Local Government P>oard that, whilst not unduly
relaxing the standard of public health administration in their area, local
authorities should, as far as possible, refrain from requiring the execution
of work, the cost of which has to be borne by private individuals, unless
the work is urgently necessary for the removal of nuisances or for the
protection of health.