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4
Together with the members of the Committee who knew her
personally, I feel I have indeed lost something more than an ideal
colleague. I have lost a real friend.
It is, however, fortunate that during the time of Dr. Lough's
last illness we had with us Dr. Bevan, who was already working
part-time in Barking and who was intimately acquainted with the'
work Dr. Lough had been carrying on.
The Council decided to appoint Dr. Bevan to the vacant post,
and Dr. Bevan, 1 know, leaves no stone unturned to merit the great
confidence which has been reposed in her.
The year under review represents, as it were, the last year
under the old order of things. Henceforth in all your deliberations
you will take into your consideration the opening up of the Becontree
Estate and look upon Barking as a township with a potential
population of 100,000.
In January, 1929, I asked for an extension of staff.
At that time you decided to wait before acceding to my request.
You did not grant this addition to my staff during the year in
question but you have done so during the time this report has been
in course of preparation.
I want to make it quite clear that in assessing the future
requirements of Barking you should build as though you had
appointed this additional medical staff early in 1929.
Towards the end of 1929 the question of nursery schools has
been authoritatively raised by the Minister of Health and the
President of the Board of Education.
It is significant that squalid home conditions are again the
only substantial plea for these schools. I feel that any palliative
measures are open to grave objection. Bad environment should be
dealt with radically. Money spent on palliative measures merely