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The radio hand set was also used by the night duty inspectors and provided immediate communication
between the Health Department duty officer in the City Hall and the duty inspector. It
proved of particular value in connection with observation of the movements of itinerant "hot dog"
vendors from the place of setting up the stall to the eventual point of trading, and assisted the
inspector in passing instructions to his assistant at base in relation to the continuous chain of
evidence required for an eventual successful prosecution.
This experimental use of two-way radio in connection with Health Department activities has
been so successful that arrangements have been made to instal the apparatus in a further four
Health vehicles during 1969.
Verminous Persons
The cleansing of persons baths at Lissonia and Wedlake Street dealt with 826 (810) verminous
persons: adults 629 (569)—men 507 (428), women 122 (141); children 197 (241)—boys 61
(43), girls 136 (198).
Scabies
The two establishments mentioned in the foregoing paragraph treated 422 (452) scabies
patients: adults 243 (312)—men 129 (138), women 114 (174); children 179 (140)—boys 40
(32), girls 139 (108).
Bathing
Under the provisions of Section 43 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act 1953.
sanitary authorities are empowered to make arrangements for bathing old people at their own request
or with their consent. During the year a total of 525 (599) baths were given, 448 (486) to women
and 77 (113) to men, under a scheme for bathing old persons at the Lisson Grove Centre. The
old people are conveyed between their homes and the Centre by a Health Department vehicle.
Special Laundry Service
The Department continues to operate a service for laundering bed linen and clothing of the
acutely ill, incontinent or very dirty and verminous old people. In certain cases a certificate is
given by the Medical Officer of Health under the provisions of Section 84 of the Public Health
Act 1936. The work is carried out by the staff of the Department's Laundries at 217 Lisson Grove
and, to a limited extent, at Wedlake Street Baths.
During the year, 10,875 (8,027) bags each containing about 10 lbs. of soiled linen were
collected, laundered and returned to the owners. This considerable increase in the volume of work
undertaken results from the installation of additional washing and ironing equipment at the Lissonia
Centre during 1967, with benefit to the persons concerned.
Disposable Incontinence Pads
In response to Ministry of Health Circular 14/66, a service was inaugurated in May, 1967,
for patients resident in the City, on written application by a general practitioner or district nurse,
to be supplied free of charge with disposable incontinence pads and, where required, protective
rubber pants. These are either collected by the patient or his representative from a stipulated
convenient Centre, or, where necessary, delivered to the patient's home by a Health Department
van. If difficulty is experienced at the home in disposing of the soiled pads, these are placed in
disposable waterproof bags, collected by the van delivering new supplies and, through the kind
co-operation of St. Mary's Hospital, Harrow Road, taken to the hospital for incineration.
During the year under review 138 (104) new cases arose, making a total of 182 (104) persons
who received deliveries of supplies in their homes, whilst 15 (37) arranged for them to be collected
from the Centres.
Establishments for Massage or Special Treatment
The City Council is responsible for the licensing and regulation of establishments for massage
or special treatment in the City.
This matter is dealt with by the Public Control Section of the Town Clerk's Department but by
arrangement enquiries and inspections with regard to apparatus, matters of technique, and the
qualifications and suitability of persons employed upon the premises are undertaken by the Health
Department. For these purposes a qualified physiotherapist is employed on a sessional basis
and during the year she made the following visits: