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might be an advantage and even a necessity in certain cases, though in other instances,
especially in a community like the City, occasional hardship would result.
(c) Applications for milk at less than cost price have to be made on a printed
form, signed by one member of the family. The Minister of Health is advised that
persons deliberately making false statements as to their income for the purpose of
obtaining milk at less than cost price are liable to prosecution for obtaining or
attempting to obtain goods by false pretences. Reasonable steps are to be taken by
Local Authorities to satisfy themselves that the particulars of income given by
the applicants are correct.
(4) It is suggested that milk should be supplied through the Maternity and
Child Welfare Centre.
The Committee gave their careful consideration to all the facts bearing on
this matter and ultimately decided not to apply for the grant in aid.
The City, with its small population, is somewhat peculiarly situated. The
homes and general social status of families likely to apply for free, cost price, or
under cost price milk are well known to the officers of the Corporation who are
responsible for the administration of the scheme. Of course, in some areas where
the distribution of milk assumes considerable proportions, it is obviously essential
that some such scheme as that above indicated should be in operation, but in the
City it has been considered sufficient to decide the amount of money which the
Corporation will spend on free milk, and to allow the Medical Officer of Health
some latitude in the decision.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
Very few comments are necessary with reference to the incidence of infectious
disease during the year 1921.
Diphtheria was prevalent to the extent of 33 cases as compared with 30 in 1920.
The number of Scarlet Fever cases was 89, Erysipelas showed an increase from
five to six, No case of Measles was notified, as compared with 18 notified in 1919.
Chicken-pox was not so prevalent as in the previous year, in the proportion of two
cases to six. Two cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum were notified. The percentage
of cases removed to hospital was somewhat higher than in 1919 and 1920.
During 1921, cases of Small-pox were reported at different times in various
neighbourhoods. No cases were reported in the City ; numerous contacts, however,
with outside cases came to my knowledge. These were visited and kept under
observation, and, where necessary, vaccination was advised.
In each instance of notified disease a detailed examination is made of the
sanitary condition of the premises where the case occurred, and a summary of
defects found by the District Inspector is given on page 9.
No case of Small-pox, Cholera, Plague, Typhus, Enteric, Relapsing, Continued
or Puerperal Fever, Anthrax, Cerebro-spinal Meningitis or acute Polio-myelitis has
been reported.
Fuller information is set out in the tables appended.
NOTIFICATION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES.—In the following tables
will be found particulars of certificates relating to cases of infectious disease
forwarded under Sections 55 and 56 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, and
information as to the removal of patients to hospitals, infirmaries, &c. :—