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Care of the chronic sick
Despite the exchange of some chronic sick persons for infirm persons in hospital who
could not be discharged to their own homes, the number of chronic sick remaining
in the Council's homes at the end of the year was 533 (149 men, 384 women) a decrease
of only 26 compared with the previous year. In some homes sick bays were provided
for the care of the aged suffering from temporary acute illness for whom hospital beds
were not available.
Invalid Meals
of London
Invalid Meals of London provided (year ended 30th September, 1955) 182,399 meals
for invalids and sick people compared with 166,165 in the previous year ; 152,884 of
the meals were delivered to houses and 29,515 were served in the dining centres belonging
to the organisation. The Council made a grant in aid of .£8,000 during the year.
Welfare of handicapped persons
Medical advice as to eligibility for registration under the Council's scheme for the
welfare of handicapped persons other than the blind and partially-sighted was given
in eight cases during the year.
SCIENTIFIC BRANCH
the scientific branch undertakes analytical and consultative work in chemistry
and allied sciences, and its services are available to all departments of the Council.
The work of the branch is carried out in three groups of laboratories. At the County
Hall headquarters work is undertaken on foods, meals, trade effluents, atmospheric
pollution, detergents, laundries, paints and decorative materials, statutory work on
many Acts and Orders, fuels and all types of oils, building materials, waters of many
kinds, etc. The Northern and Southern Outfall laboratories, situated at Beckton and
Crossness respectively, are concerned with obtaining scientific data for the control of the
sewage treatment processes and ancillary plant and, in addition, at all laboratories research
on important 'domestic' matters is undertaken. The Scientific Adviser submits the
following summary of his annual report :
The ever-increasing demand for scientific advice resulting from the growing appreciation
of the financial advantages to be gained has its repercussions in local government
and officers of the Council consult the branch more frequently than in the past in an
increasing range of subjects. Although a wide range of experience is available in the
branch, it could not be claimed that advice on any question can always be given
immediately but generally the senior officers have means whereby in a relatively short
time authoritative information can be obtained, if necessary, from sources outside the
service by utilising the government and other research associations, consulting specialists
in the particular field and disentangling claims and facts. Research work on a domestic
problem is pursued when the financial aspects warrant it and a strict watch is maintained
to utilise the available scientific manpower in the service to the very best advantage.
The research projects pursued in all the laboratories, the advice given on processes and
methods and the watch maintained on deliveries and materials used on sites, constitute
a considerable financial asset to the Council whilst figuratively providing an insurance
premium against low standard products and claims against the Council and, furthermore,
the branch provides the evidence to ensure the compliance with the requirements of the
many Acts and Orders which the Council has to administer.
Synopsis of work done
The total number of samples examined was 30,335, which exceeds by 3,873 that of the
previous year. This number does not indicate the full extent of the work because it
takes no account of the advisory and consultative work undertaken by the senior
officers which may not require the examination of samples, nor are details of the research
projects numbered. This advisory service has developed rapidly in the last few years and,
serving as it does to give an opinion, frequently informally, on materials to be used,
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