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47
From time to time it has been alleged that infectious disease has been introduced
into country areas to which these children have been sent, and the Local Government
Board, therefore, although not wishing to impose restrictions upon the movement, the
excellent purposes of which are generally recognised, have felt compelled to express the
opinion that some precautionary measures should be adopted by the responsible
organisations.
The circular letter under review briefly discusses the question, and suggests what
might be done with a view to minimising as far as possible whatever danger attends
the practice.
The following are the suggestions which, for the purpose of brevity, I have
condensed:—
1. Communications should be made to the Medical Officer of Health of the
Country District advising him of the intended dispatch of children, in order that
all necessary and desirable administrative action may be taken by him.
2. Enquiry should be made, either by the aid of voluntary workers or
through the Medical Officer of Health of the Local Sanitary Authority, with a
view to ensuring that no child shall be sent to the country in an infectious
condition, or in the incubation stage of any infectious disease, or from any
infected house.
3. Efforts should be made to ensure that the children are in a cleanly
condition before departure.
4. Should a child fall ill whilst on a holiday, the necessity of immediately
calling in medical advice is urged, as is also the notification to the Medical
Officer of Health of the district of the incidence of infectious disease.
For some years past one of the largest of the philanthropic organisations engaged
in the work have always placed themselves in communication with my Department, and
the above suggestions have formed the basis upon which have been founded efforts to
ensure that the children leaving the City of London for the country are not the medium
through which infectious disease is spread to other districts.
During the year under review, the arrangements made by the organisation in
question in regard to a number of City children were cancelled on account of the War.
CREMATIONS.
The total number of Cremations carried out at the Corporation Crematorium at
llford last year was 42 as compared with 21 in 1913, and reference to the Table on
page 48 shows that an increase is recorded at several other Crematoria, the total number
in the United Kingdom during 1914 being 1,279, as compared with 1,188 in 1913.
The prejudice against this form of disposal of the dead appears to be only slowly
losing its hold upon the community. Cremation, with what some regard as its Pagan
associations, offend the susceptibilities of many, but apart from sentiment there can be
no question that the most hygienic and best method of disposing of the bodies of our
dead, is the speedy reduction of them to harmless ashes in specially constructed furnaces.