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THE HEALTH OF BARKING
In December, 1947, only 246 persons or 1.2 per cent, of the working population
of the area were unemployed. In general unemployment is only of short duration.
Employers have been extremely helpful in connection with problems arising
from the employment of disabled persons and a large number of Barking employers
are employing a number of registered disabled persons in excess of the quota
requirements of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944.
While we must welcome the Employment and Training Bill published on the
23rd March, 1948, which embodies those recommendations of the recent Ince
report on the reform of the Juvenile Employment Service which need legislative
authority, it is understood that we shall still have no authority to visit factories
after a child is placed to see whether the medical recommendations as to the type
of employment suitable to the child are indeed carried out. Nor is there provision
for medical examinations at intervals afterwards, so that the effect on the juvenile
of the work chosen can be checked.
Nurses Act, 1943, Part II. No applications have been received under this
section of the Nurses Act for licences during 1947.
Head Lice. This essentially preventable condition remains with us, although
its incidence as judged by inspections of school children appears to be lower in
1947 than in the previous year.
This condition, like scabies, is a family disease and there are certain families
who are rarely, if ever, quite free from infestation. These families form foci which
spread the infestation to those whose personal standards are higher. As might be
expected the incidence is higher amongst females than males. This is not only
because the hair is longer but because elaborate ' hair dos ' discourage frequent
washings and brushing. The ' snood ' from which elegant curls are all too
infrequently removed is, I am happy to observe, a dying fashion.
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