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having to be destroyed. There is still considerable variation in the quality
and texture of the loaves, due chiefly to the variation in the composition
of the flour." While not so attractive to persons accustomed to white
bread, and requiring more thorough mastication, War Bread is more
nutritious than the pie-War white bread. Allegations were frequent that
its consumption caused a skin rash. A number of persons in Westminster
who were having internal treatment for it, were cured in a short time
by baths and the application externally of remedies for scabies (itch).
National Kitchens were opened in Westminster by voluntary agencies,
and there are now five working successfully. They ought to be a boon
not only to persons out at work all day, but to all classes of the community
who are "carrying on" without servants. To the ordinary Working man's
family, they should be specially advantageous by supplying nourishing,
well-cooked food at a reasonable price. The mother with a family to look
after, does not always have the time to spare from her household duties
to buy to the best advantage, and frequently the food provided consists
of articles which need a minimum of preparation and cooking. Obtaining
food from communal kitchens is opposed to our usual habit and custom,
and at first many refused to avail themselves of them under the idea that
they were accepting charity. There was, therefore, some prejudice to be
overcome at first. It is not improbable that communal kitchens which
would cater for mi lie-class people, would be equally, if not more,
successful than th. already existing.
War Work.—A considerable amount of work has devolved upon
the Public Health Department in connection with the utilisation of
dwellings as private hospitals for officers; the erection or conversion
of existing premises into clubs and rest huts; the inspection of billets,
guard-rooms, &c.; removal and destruction of dressings from
hospitals, &c. As noted above, a very large amount of disinfection
of Army clothing and bedding has been carried out for verminous
conditions. Apart from the disagreeableness and irritation caused
by the presence of such vermin, it is now recognised that they
are the means whereby Typhus Fever and Trench Fever are communicated
from one person to another. The former disease is, fortunately,
rare among our soldiers, but the latter is not so, and it is quite possible
that men who have suffered from Trench Fever, returning to their homes
in a verminous condition, may thereby convey the disease to the civil
population. Some improvement has taken place during the past year
in treating the condition before men return to this country.