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At the close of the year the Council, on the request of the Ministry of Health, assisted in the scheme for the free
distribution of vitamin preparations to young children, and from the 8th to the 28th December, 1941, issues were made
as follow : cod liver oil, 232-6 oz. bottles ; fruit juice (to children under 6 months) 108-13½ oz. bottles ; fruit puree
(to children 6 months to 2 years) 353-8½ oz. cans. It was estimated that 75 per cent, of eligible children were receiving
the preparations.
During 1941 no advantage was taken of the arrangements for the supply of dinners at certain voluntary centres
to expectant and nursing mothers and young children.
Under ah arrangement made by the Ministry of Health and the Board of Trade, expectant mothers were provided
with 50 special coupons for baby clothing. From the 6th August, 1941 (when the scheme came into operation) to the
end of the year, coupons were issued to 298 expectant mothers.
Day Nurseries.—The three day nurseries in the Borough were evacuated on the outbreak of war : the Portman
(St. Marylebone Health Society) from new premises at Nos. 12-18, Salisbury Street to Limpsfield, Surrey ; the Crossley
(St. Marylebone Health Society) from No. 38, Barrow Hill Road to Watlington, Oxfordshire ; and St. Vincent's
Creche (Convent of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul) from No. 14, Blandford Street to Taplow,
Buckinghamshire. In their temporary quarters in the country the nurseries are carrying on their valuable work
with marked success and with undoubted benefit to the health of the children.
On the 13th October, 1941, the premises at No. 14, Blandford Street re-opened as a whole-time emergency day
nursery for 40 children.
Towards the end of the year arrangements were made by the Council, at the request of the Ministry of Health and
Ministry of Labour and National Service, to establish a war-time day nursery (whole-time) in the Portman Day Nursery
building, Salisbury Street, for the children of women in full-time employment. A voluntary committee was set up,
the more important staff appointments were filled, and the nursery actually opened on the 26th January, 1942, with
accommodation for 60 children (0-5 years), the mothers paying Is. per day per child.
Home Helps.—Home helps were provided in two cases during the year.
Child Life Protection.—In connection with the administration of Part XIII of the Public Health (London) Act,
1936, six health visitors acted as child protection visitors and made a total of 52 inspections. The number of persons
on the register who, at the end of the year, were undertaking for reward the nursing and maintenance of foster
children, was four, and the children in their care numbered four.
During March and April, 280 children in public air-raid shelters were examined for the dual purpose of ascertaining
whether any child was a source of infection or was suffering in health as a result of war operations and, therefore,
a fit subject for compulsory evacuation under Defence Regulation 31C. The general standard of health of the children
was found to be very satisfactory.
Dental Treatment.—By arrangement, certain sessions at the Dental Clinic of the London County Council at Haalth
Centre No. 2 are set aside for the inspection and treatment of mothers and children under the maternity and child
welfare scheme of the Borough Council. Statistics for 1941 : sessions held, 74 ; new cases—mothers 68, children 22 ;
attendances—mothers 307, children 59 ; cases receiving advice and treatment, 319 ; extractions under gas—mothers 37,
children 10 ; dentures provided at cost price—full 6, partial 9.
Maternity Cases.—Accommodation for maternity cases was available within the borough at the Middlesex Hospital,
and also at the Paddington Hospital of the London County Council. The emergency obstetric service of the London
County Council and a panel of local obstetric consultants continued to be available for any doctor in the area
needing assistance in difficulties or complications arising during pregnancy or at or after confinement.
SECTION C.—SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES.
Water.—As a result of the very cold weather in January, 12 written complaints and a number of verbal complaints
were received regarding absence of water, mainly as a result of burst pipes. During the remainder of the year
complaints were few and all were dealt with promptly.
In view of the possibility of pollution from sewers and drains damaged by enemy action, water from all private
wells still in use for domestic purposes was examined periodically by the Public Analyst and the Council's
Bacteriologist who reported that in all cases the supply was satisfactory.
Drainage.—The number of drainage plans of new premises approved during the year was 2, and of old buildings, 23.
In addition, 72 plans were deposited in connection with amenities in public air-raid shelters. Inspections made by
the drainage inspectors numbered 2,017. It was decided that in suitable cases approval could be given, during the
period of the war, to the use of asbestos-cement soilpipes, etc. General acceptance, under the byelaws, of this material
was not advocated as consideration of each case on its merits was held to be essential.
Combined Drainage.—Orders under seal as to combined drainage were issued in respect of 2 premises.
Public Conveniences.—The usual supervision was exercised over the 15 public sanitary conveniences (11 for men,
4 for women). The charge for a wash and brush-up was reduced from 3d. to 2d. as from 1st March, 1941, as the
service was used mainly by members of H.M. Forces, Civil Defence workers and air-raid shelterers. The free use of
water-closets by Army units engaged on demolition and debris-clearance work was permitted.
Public Cleansing.—The arrangements for house refuse and salvage collection, refuse disposal and street cleansing
were described in the report for 1940. The tonnages dealt with during 1941 were: house and trade refuse, 21,043 tons;
salvage materials, 1,690J tons; street sweepings and gulley slop, 2,1111 tons. A sum of £6,916 16s. 2d. was obtained
from the sale of salvage materials. In addition, £417 8s. 9d. was received for the removal of trade refuse, green and
fish offal and for the cleansing of petrol interceptors.