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53 last year, while inquests were held in 8 cases, as compared with 11 in 1923. The
verdict in 7 cases was death from natural causes, and in the other accidental death.
In last year's report reference was made to the question of adoption of infants.
During the year three bills dealing with this matter were introduced in Parliament.
A committee was also appointed by the Home Secretary to examine the problem
of child adoption from the point of view of possible legislation, and at the request
of that committee evidence was submitted on behalf of the Council.
Mental Deficiency Act, 1913.
On the 31st December, 1924, the 3,583 cases being dealt with at the expense
of the Council may be classified as follows:—In institutions, 1,881; under guardianship,
20; under supervision, 1,657 ; in places of safety waiting other action, 25.
There remained 3,117 out of the total number 6,700 of cases of alleged mental defect,
of which notice has been received since the Act came into operation. These cases
include 429, in which no action could be taken; 1,279 ascertained not defective,
not subject to be dealt with, or not to be London cases ; 523 dealt with through
the Poor Law; 784 removed from the register (died, discharged, or removed to
mental hospitals), and 102 still under consideration.

In addition to the foregoing, certain cases were examined while still of school
age and are recorded on a later page.
Occupation
centres.
The Occupation Centres opened in the year 1923 were continued throughout
the year. Visits were paid to all the centres, and 148 children, who were actually
in attendance on the occasion of the visits, were medically examined, and the following
minor defects were noted:—
Defect.
Teeth.
Eyes.
Nose.
Throat.
Ears.
Total.
No. 25 20 6 3 2 56
Percentage 16.9% 13.5% 4.1% 2.0% 1.3% 37.8%
The general standard of nutrition, clothing and cleanliness was found to be
good, but some of the children seen at the Deptford Occupation Centre were noted
to fall below the average in nutrition and clothing and, to a less extent, cleanliness.
This was not altogether unexpected, as some of the contributory areas are among
the poorest in London.
There was no evidence of neglect of any of the children and all the serious
physical defects appeared to be receiving treatment. Some minor defects of the
eye, ear, nose and throat, however, were noted not to be apparently receiving attention.
All these cases were reported to the London Association for the Care of the
Mentally Defective as being in need of treatment, and those parents who were present
at the examinations were advised as to the best course to adopt.
The centres appeared to be conducted in a satisfactory manner and the children
seemed to derive benefit from attendance thereat. The Council has made provision
for the employment of guides where necessary in order to convoy the children to
and from the centres.
Children of
female defectives
dealt
with under
the Act of
1913.
A special investigation has been made with a view to ascertaining the educational
attainments of children of certified defectives. Reports have been obtained in
regard to fourteen children of school age; only one attends a special M.D. School,
six children were stated to be dull and backward but well-behaved, and in the remaining
seven the reports were satisfactory.