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5
NATURAL AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS
Details of the area and character of the district have
been given in previous reports. The estimate of the
population at June, 1939 by the Registrar General was 71,010.
The number of persons evacuated had reduced this figure to
about 57,000 at the end of 1940.
UNEMPLOYMENT AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
The Kent County Council Public Assistance Department
state that out-relief was given in Beckham and West Wickham.
during the year to 597 cases, and that 526 cases were admitted
for treatment to the Farnborough Hospital.
PUBLIC MORTUARY
There were 31 cases of sudden death in the district
during 1940, where the public mortuary was used.
VENEREAL DISEASES
There is no treatment Centre in the area for these
diseases. The K.C.C. provide a Clinic at Dartford.
NURSING HOMES REGISTRATION ACT, 1927
At the end of the year there were 8 Homes on the
Register; no new applications were received during 1940. The
Medical Officer of Health and Assistant M.O.H. paid 37 visits
of inspection to the premises and found the records and
equipment satisfactory. Local papers are scrutinised for
advertisements of unregistered homes. Two Homes were closed
owing to War damage and two others also closed.
BOARDED OUT CHILDREN
At the beginning of the year there were 11 registered
foster mothers having charge of 38 children. At the end of
1940 there were 12 children under the care of 9 foster mothers.
The Health Visitors made 93 inspections of the premises
on the register, and most of the children were 3een at the
Welfare Centres.
The Nursery Home established in 1939 with accommodation
for 25 children was closed during the year.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE
This service deals with the ante-natal care of
expectant mothers and the supervision of nursing mothers and
children up to the age of five years.