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treatment centre continued to work very smoothly. Twelve vision sessions a week,
devoted to school children only, were held at the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital
(Moorfields), and two at the Westminster Hospital.
Tuberculosa
Accommodation at the East Islington welfare centre continued to be used by the
North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board for mass radiography. The unit was
also used for the routine examination of the Council's divisional staff. During the year
arrangements were put in hand for the mass X-ray of the homeless family units, and of
staff at the request of the Divisional Education Officer.
A further 2,817 children from 12 schools in Islington had tuberculin skin tests; 366
were positive reactors to the test and 2,451 were negative. Six children were subsequently
referred to the local chest clinic for further examination and observation.
The Hostel for tuberculous men at Highbury Quadrant was fully utilised and was
visted regularly by members of the Divisional Health Committee.
Health
education
Health educational activities at welfare centres in the past year have included talks,
discussion groups, film shows, cookery demonstrations and sewing classes, all directed
by the health visitors. In addition, parents' clubs at the centres, with the help and
encouragement of the Council's staff, have organised 'keep fit' classes, outings to places of
interest, 'mannequin parades' of garments made at sewing classes, and talks on many
subjects.
All establishments, including (by permission of the Metropolitan Borough Councils)
local town halls, have displayed a series of posters and leaflets. These were changed each
month, and included, not only health education, but allied topics, such as the prevention
of accidents in the home.
Head teachers of 25 senior schools in the division were invited to co-operate in a
scheme to bring home to the children the importance of hygiene in dealing with milk,
and to teach them its nutritive value. As a consequence, lectures were given by sanitary
inspectors to children in 16 schools covering not only this subject but also some of the
wider aspects of food hygiene.
General practitioners and hospitals in the area assisted the Council's campaign for
immunisation against diphtheria bv displavins posters at their premises.
Conclusion
Relations with the voluntary services, the Metropolitan Borough Councils, local
hospitals, neighbouring divisions, and other departments of the Council have been
cordial, and I express my gratitude to them as well as to the Divisional Health Committee
and my own divisional staff.
Division 4, comprising the boroughs of Hackney, Shoreditch and Stoke Newington.
Dr. S. King reports:
Woodberry
Down health
centre
At the beginning of the year 41 sessions of local health authority services were being
held each week at the Woodberry Down Health Centre. During the year many services
were extended by extra sessions and the following new services were commenced:
oral hygiene, 'keep fit' classes, family planning, tutorial class (maladjusted children).
By the end of the year a total of 72 sessions were being held. It was estimated that in
January approximately 468 persons a week were attending the local health authority
sessions and by the end of the year the average weekly attendance had increased to 784.
The centre continued to attract considerable publicity and 2,242 visitors were conducted
over the premises.
Six general medical practitioners commenced to practise at the centre on 1st July,
a total of 53 surgery sessions being held each week. A Medical Staff Committee was
established to effect liaison between the local health and general practitioner services.
The general dental service commenced on 6th August, and one general dental
surgeon conducts 11 sessions per week.
A successful health exhibition was held during May, which attracted a large public
attendance and emphasis has been placed upon health education activities in the health
centre.