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she lived, and her doctor referred her to the Department for removal as she
was suffering from malnutrition; she refused to go to hospital. The patient
was visited and it was found that the home conditions were not sufficiently
bad to enforce removal under Sec. 47. It was reported that a friend did
shopping for her and another "tidied up occasionally". However, a few days
later she agreed to be removed to hospital.
Case D.—A letter was received stating that a woman of 65 years of age was
living alone in two rooms in a very insanitary condition, that she did not get
proper food and was incapable of caring for herself. On inspection it was
found that her bed-sitting room, although untidy and over furnished was
not really dirty. The other room used as a kitchen was -littered with milk
bottles and stale food and the general condition unsatisfactory. She obtained
some meals at the Civic Restaurant and appeared reasonably well nourished.
She seemed very ashamed of her personal condition and the condition of her
kitchen and promised to make an effort to improve matters. Six months
later she was found to be filthy and neglected but while arrangements were
being made for compulsory removal she agreed to go to an old people's home.
She stayed there for a short time only, during which time her rooms were
thoroughly cleansed. On returning she again neglected her rooms and herself
and became a general nuisance to the other tenants. After much persuasion
she once again agreed to go to an old people's home.
Section 50.—Burial or Cremation of the Dead.
Under this section the Borough Council took over from the County
Council the duty of arranging the burial or cremation of any person who
has died or been found dead in the area in any case where it appears to
the authority that no suitable arrangements for the disposal of the body
have been, or are being, made.
Only one case was dealt with by the Department during the year.
Arrangement was made for the burial of a woman of 84 years who was
found dead at home. The full cost of the burial was recovered by the
Council.
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