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the authorities and during the last two years of the war special measures were
devised for the early treatment of these cases at the site of the incident,
particularly those pinned down for some time. This treatment went a
considerable way in reducing the delayed mortality from crush injuries. It
had been not unusual for a person on being released from under a beam to
appear quite cheerful and comfortable and still to become moribund within
48 hours. This was believed to be due to toxic products in the crushed limb
being released into the blood stream with consequent complete interference
with the kidney function.
The elaborate measures organised for the decontamination of food were
fortunately not required although the salvage of food damaged, or apparently
damaged, as a result of air warfare, was an almost const at activity. Some
462 tons from food premises and private houses were saved and according to
the nature of the food, or its condition on inspection, was passed as fit
for human consumption; disposed of for animal feeding or consigned to
industrial purposes.
damage to buildings, particularly dwelling houses, resulted in 1,720
houses totally destroyed, some 3,000 so damaged that they were uninhabitable,
and over 17,000 of lesser degree where repairs according to extent of damage
had to be undertaken urgently in order to restore reasonably comfortable
conditions to the occupiers. There is no doubt that the fly bomb raids of
1944 have acutely aggravated the housing problem of to-day. Before they took
place, housing repairs and the housing of families could keep pace with the
results of recurring damage and the current, demands for housing. Since the
end of the war the problem ha3 become accentuated by the return of families
from evacuation and the setting up of now households by young men and women
released from war service and married or about to be married. In many cases
at the outbreak of war they had not long left school in VJestminster where
they spent their childhood.
In spite of all difficulties tho work of providing housing has
proceeded without intermission during the war and since. Until the extensive
scheme of new housing undertaken by the City Council is begun, homes are
being provided by requisitioning unoccupied houses and adapting them to meet
the needs of separate families. Up to date some 1,225 households, rendered
homeless or inadequately housed, have been accommodated.
Such then is a very brief and inadequate summary of the Civil Defence
work in which your Public Health Department was engaged during the six years
of war against Germany.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
ANDREV,' J. SIIINNIE.
August, 1946.