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79
The number of cleansings at the cleansing stations again shows a decrease as
compared with the previous year, this being due to the continued fall in the number
of children suffering from scabies and the closing of two borough Council stations
for some periods during the year, on account of repair work, or the use of the station
as a shelter in connection with the outbreak of smallpox. The movement referred
to in last year's report, whereby a decrease in the number of children suffering from
scabies is followed by an increase in the number of verminous children actually
dealt with (these children being formerly crowded out) is again shown by the
increase of the figure from 42,595 to 47,769, but whereas a child suffering from
scabies has from four baths upwards, the verminous child is cleansed generally
speaking in one operation.
Out of 73,800 children whose verminous condition was brought to the notice
of the parents, 30,619 attended voluntarily at the cleansing stations, but in 22,975
cases it was necessary to serve statutory notices after a further examination.
Following upon these statutory notices 6,669 children attended the stations
voluntarily, but of the remainder 10,481 were found verminous after a still further
examination and were compulsorily taken by the nurses for cleansing. Among the
children who were compulsorily cleansed 797 were subsequently found to have
relapsed and prosecutions under Sec. 122 of the Children Act were instituted in
726 cases.
During the year arrangements were made for the use of the Chelsea borough
Council station, this addition making a total of 18 sanitary authorities with whom
the Council now has agreements.
These stations, together with the 7 centres organised by voluntary committees,
and the Council's 9 stations, make a total of 34 centres which are now
available for the cleansing of school children throughout the area.
As in previous years the practice was continued of notifying to the borough
medical officers particulars of children dealt with under the Council's cleansing
scheme in order that where possible the home conditions might be remedied under
the Acts of 1904 and 1922. During 1922 reports were received in regard to 5,005
homes visited; out of this number disinfestation or destruction of bedding or disinfestation
of homes was carried out in 1,228 instances. In 1921 the corresponding
figures were 4,882 homes visited, action taken in 1,792 cases; whilst in 1920, 3,645
homes were visited, and action was taken in 1,852 instances.
Co-operation
with local
sanitary
authorities.
The scheme for bathing children at certain public baths was continued throughout
the year, but the extensions of the scheme referred to in the last report were
not put into operation. The number of baths arranged for during 1922 was 5,206
in Camberwell and 8,827 in Kensington.
There have been increasing demands upon the facilities provided, but the
limited expenditure on the scheme has led to the number of children attending the
baths during school hours being somewhat restricted. The scheme is appreciated
by the teachers, and it is understood has led to larger attendances at the baths of
children out of school hours. In connection with this last point certain borough
councils are now providing cheap tickets, the use of which is limited to school
children attending the baths, generally before 6 p.m.
Use of public
washing
batha during
school hours.
Infectious diseases.
During the year 8,026 cases of scarlet fever were reported as occurring in the
Council's schools. The geographical distribution of the disease shifted as compared
with 1921, being less marked in the East-end where it had persisted during
the preceding year or more, and in the extreme western and north-eastern districts,
and more notable in the south-eastern and south-western areas. The only boroughs
affected above the normal on the north of the river were Fulham, St. Pancras,
Islington, Finsbury and Holborn. The number of schools specially affected during
the year was 213, and 376 special investigations were conducted by assistant medical
officers into outbreaks of scarlet fever.
Scarlet fever.