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The common lodging-house population was less numerous than on any previous occasion, there
being 13,679 inmates as compared with 15,254 in 1916, and 20,173 in the early part of 1914. In the
free shelters and labour homes, not licensed as common lodging-houses, there was also a great reduction
in the number of inmates, 04 men, 159 women and 7 children being accommodated, as compared with
91 men, 218 women and 2 children in 1910. The number of persons in London casual wards on the
night in question was 89, as against 123 at the time of the last census, and in Rowton Houses 3,950 as
agaiqst 4,219.
Scheme for the Treatment of Venereal Diseases.
The scheme for London and the Home Counties for the diagnosis and treatment of venereal
disease, referred to in last year's report, came into force on 1st January, 1917, and was continued throughout
the year. Clinics were established at 22 of the London general hospitals where arrangements were
also made for in-patient treatment. During the year the number of persons who made use of the
facilities was 15,385, viz., 9,648 males and 5,737 females, and their attendances totalled 120,659. The
number of "in-patient" days of treatment given was 63,923, and 7,056 persons were treated with
salvarsan substitutes. Of those dealt with for the first time, 12,211 were London patients of whom
6,057 were suffering from syphilis, 174 from soft chancre, 4,098 from gonorrhoea and 1,882 not suffering
from venereal disease. Pathological examinations of material from patients attending the clinics
totalled 13,988, and 3,649 examinations for medical practitioners were made in the laboratories. The
total examinations include 12,342 Wassermann tests.
During the year 108 medical practitioners submitted evidence of their experience in the administration
of arseno-benzol preparations in accordance with the regulations of the Local Government Board
and were placed on the Council's approved list, entitling them to supplies of these drugs free of cost.
Of the 3,649 pathological examinations made on behalf of private practitioners, 3,310 Were
Wassermann tests. In order to assist practitioners in arriving at a proper interpretation of the Wassermann
reaction, a pamphlet embodying the views of a number of well-known pathologists was issued
on the subject.
In considering the arrangements for the year 1918 certain districts not conveniently served by
the existing facilities for treatment were provided for by the inclusion in the scheme of three additional
hospitals. Provision was also made at hostels for certain persons who, whilst undergoing treatment at
the hospitals, continued in employment, and whose lodgings did not permit of the requisite privacy.
The need for special facilities for treatment for infected pregnant women was also considered, and the
authorities of the large lying-in hospitals were approached on the subject, but they came to the decision
that shortage of staff and the need for additional accommodation precluded them from participating
in the scheme during the ensuing year.
Children Act, 1908—Part I.
The Council on the 20th March, 1917, transferred the work arising out of the administration of
this part of the Act from the Public Control Department to the Public Health Department as from the
1st April, 1917.
This part of the Act provides that where a woman undertakes for hire or reward the nursing and
maintenance of an infant under the age of 7 years, apart from its parents, notice of such reception must
be given within 48 hours. The Act further provides for notice to be given of the change of address
of a foster-mother and of the death or removal of a nurse infant within 48 hours of such change of address
or removal taking place. Penalties are provided for failure to comply with these requirements and for
obstructing visitors duly appointed by the local authority in the performance of their duties.
The outdoor staff employed by the Public Control Department consisted of 10 female and 2 male
visitors, whose duties comprised supervising the infants in respect of whom notice had been given,
advising the foster-mothers as to the care of such infants, and, in the case of the male visitors, the tracing
of unregistered foster-mothers, etc.
On 1st April, 1917, the number of notified houses on the register was 3,054 and the number
of nurse-infants was 4,002.
When the work was transferred to the Public Health Department, London had been divided
into 10 districts giving about 300 notified houses per visitor ; the instructions to visitors provided that
houses where more than one notified infant was kept should be visited at intervals of at least 4 weeks,
while other notified houses were to be visited at intervals to be decided upon after a consideration of
the age, health and general conditions under which the infants were being maintained. The experience
of the Public Control Department proved that the staff was insufficient to carry out this instruction,
and in January, 1917, the Public Control Committee expressed the opinion that the staff should be
strengthened to cope with the work. The Council in December, decided to increase the visiting staff
by the appointment of 5 additional women visitors.
It has been possible with the increased staff to devote a considerable amount of attention to
the homes from a health point of view. 1,195 homes were specially visited. In 725 cases the
conditions were satisfactory; in 220 sanitary defects were found ; in 144 there was overcrowding ;
and in 38 overcrowding and sanitary defects. The sanitary authorities were informed in all cases
where unsatisfactory conditions were found.
In cases where overcrowding existed a re-arrangement of the sleeping accommodation was found
sufficient in many cases to establish healthy conditions, but in others the foster-mother had either to
give up the nurse-infant within a specified period or find other and more suitable accommodation.
Careful supervision is maintained over the health of the foster-children, and where an infant is
found to be in need of medical treatment the visitor generally advises the foster-mother to take it to the