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In respect of the troops, soon after the declaration of war the Medical Officer of
Health, in common with others in the metropolis, was asked to assist the Deputy
Director of Medical Services for the London District, and to act as " Sanitary
Supervisor " of camps, billets, etc., in the Borough.
The Council raised no objection to this, and a great deal of work was done in the
way of inspecting encampments and premises used by troops, advising commanding
officers, co-operating with Army medical officers, examining; food supplied to the
troops, reporting sanitary defects and making periodical reports to the Deputy
Director of Medical Services.
After arrangements to help in these ways had been made, the Local
Government Board issued a letter to local authorities pointing out the necessity of
close co-operation between the civil and military authorities in relation to infectious
diseases, and from time to time the Board also communicated with the Medical
Officer of Health on the question of food to the troops, as a great deal of material
was supplied to the War Office by a large contractor in the Borough.
The Public Health Committee was exceedingly anxious that there should be the
closest co-operation, and that every assistance should be given. The Cleansing
Station was placed at the disposal of the military quartered in the Borough,
and large numbers of soldiers availed themselves of the use of the baths and great
quantities of blankets, clothing, etc., were submitted to treatment in the disinfecting
apparatus.
In addition to these baths the public baths were also thrown open to the soldiers,
who were also admitted to the use free of charge of any of the underground
conveniences.
In carrying out the extra work entailed the Medical Officer of Healh received
the greatest assistance from all the members of the staff who, in addition to this and
their ordinary routine of work, had a great deal to do in connection with factories and
workshops in which army clothing is made. St. Marylebone being a well-known
tailoring centre, a great deal of this class of work is done, much of it in small workshops.
Very close supervision has been exercised over these by the Inspectors, both
male and female.
In order to provide work for women several emergency workrooms were opened
by the Women's Emergency Corps and others.
The greater part of the work of supervising these has fallen upon the women
inspectors, one of whom, Miss Baker, was appointed a member of a sub-committee
of the Prince of Wales' Fund Committee, charged with attending to this matter.
So far as BeJgian refugees are concerned, it may be noted that the Department
is particularly fortunate in having as a temporary woman inspector Miss Meses,
who has a thorough knowledge of French and Flemish and who has been of the
greatest assistance in the work amongst the refugees.