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As from the 1st September, 1942, St. Vincent's Creche, No. 14, Blandlord Street, was approved by the Ministry
of Health as a grant-aided war-time nursery (whole-time) for 35 children (0.5.years). Daily attendances averaged 29.
Part of the Gardens, Paddington Street, was, with the approval of the Works Committee, set aside as a playground
for children from this Nursery.
At the end of the year negotiations were proceeding for the establishment of a third war-time nursery (wholetime)
to accommodate 57 children (0-5) from the eastern area of the Borough.
During the first half of 1942, play centres, at which children of women doing war work could have tea and spend
the remainder of the evening until the parents returned home, were opened by the London County Council at Cosway
Street School and All Souls' School, Foley Street.
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 37 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 five.
Dental Treatment.—By arrangement, certain sessions at the Dental Clinic of the London County Council at Health
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 1942 : sessions held, 90 ; new cases—mothers 101, children 31 ;
attendances—mothers 559, children 75 ; X-ray examinations, 11 ; extractions:—mothers 193, children 45 ; patients
provided with dentures at cost price, 32 ; fillings, 168 ; other operations, 260.
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.
Convalescent Homes.—During the second half of the year two mothers with their babies were sent for two weeks
to a post-natal hostel near Hertford. In October the Council decided to take advantage of convalescent facilities for
toddlers at Byfleet, Surrey, but no children could be sent during the remainder of the year as the institution was in
quarantine for infectious disease.
SECTION C.-SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES.
Water.—Thirty-four written complaints and a number made verbally were concerned mainly with absence of water,
largely as a result of burst pipes caused by cold weather early in the year. A few complaints of chlorinous tastes
were referred to the Metropolitan Water Board, who subsequently issued an explanatory statement with the conclusion
that " there was the strongest evidence that standard of purity of supply was higher even than before the war." In
accordance with the provisions of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, the Board notified seven instances where
water had been cut off in occupied premises for non-payment of rates. Water from private wells still in use for
domestic purposes was examined periodically by the Public Analyst and the Council's Bacteriologist. In only one
instance were unsatisfactory reports received. These related to a large block of flats where the water was found to be
polluted. Effective chlorination was immediately carried out, pending provision of a supply from the mains of the
Metropolitan Water Board.
Drainage.—The number of drainage plans approved was 26, all relating to old buildings. In addition, 37 plans were
deposited in connection with amenities in public air-raid shelters. Inspections made by the drainage inspectors
numbered 2,288.
Combined Drainage.—Orders under seal as to combined drainage were issued in respect of 3 premises.
Public Conveniences.—The usual supervision was exercised over the 15 public sanitary conveniences (11 for men,
4 for .women).
Public Cleansing.—The tonnages dealt with were : house and trade refuse, 19,343.1 tons ; salvage materials, 2,589
tons ; street sweepings and gulley slop, 8,551 tons. A kitchen waste collection service was established, 500 special
bins being placed at intervals in the streets for the reception of waste food scraps required for pig and poultry feeding.
A sum of £10,315 12s. 9d. was obtained from the sale of salvage materials. In addition, £284 6s. 9d. was received for
the removal of trade refuse, green offal, and the cleansing of petrol interceptors.
Shops.—Inspections under the Shops Act, 1934, numbered 163. In two instances scrvice of notice was necessary.
Bed Bugs.—One Council house and 55 other houses where bugs were found were disinfested. Verminous furniture
belonging to 17 families, 7 of whom were dishoused as the result of enemy action, was treated by the hydrogen cyanide
process. The mobile hot-air disinfestor was used extensively for disinfestation of bedding from air-raid shelters, no
fewer than 6,036 bundles being dealt with.
Verminous Persons.—The numbers of adults and school children using the cleansing station were 552 (427 males,
125 females) and 1,175 (316 boys, 859 girls) respectively.
Scabies statistics are shown separately on page 9.