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An expected increase in the number of cases of scarlet fever
occurred, but the disease continues to be mild, and there were no
deaths. The policy of home isolation where possible -was continued
and there is no evidence to show that this policy causes any increase
in the incidence. Almost half the number of cases were isolated
at home. From these there were no return cases; but there were
four from hospital isolated cases.
The increased birth rate meant a busy year in the child
welfare centres, and a record total of attendances and of new
attenders. Approximately 90% of the children. born in 1942
attended the clinics at least once. Two thirds of the expectant
mothers attended the antenatal clinics, and prectically all the rest
attended clinics at maternity hospitals outside the Borough or their
own doctors. The attendances for post-natal examinations showed a
marked increase and this service Which is intended to minimise
suffering in later years is deservedly becoming more popular.
Full co-operation has been maintained which the Ministry of
Food in the issue from the clinics of ccd liver oil and orange
joice for children under five,and cod liver oil for expectant
mothers and with the Board of Trade,in the issue of supplementary
clothing coupons for expectant mothers.
Two war time day nurseries were opened in January which were
an immediate success and the Council decided to provide a further
three, raising the total accommodation to 240. Allowing for
absentees this permits of 300 children on the registers, At the
time of writing this report one of the nurseries has been enlarged
by 18 places, also to provide accommodation for 18 children at night
whilst -their mothers are working and a sixth nursery is being
prepered for 60 children and consideration is being given to provide
accoomodation for a further 100 children whose mothers will be in
part time employment. However much we may be ??? that the
place for the young child is at home with its mother there is no
doubt that the child's place is in a nursery, so long as the mother
goes out to work, In any case the scheme for Daily Minders was a
failure in this Borough as although there were several initial
registrations to take children the housewives practically all
withdrew their applications after giving the matter further thought,
as they no doubt realised that looking after children is difficult
and their household goods would be wearing away very quickly
with other people's children in their homes.
Slum clearance and housing development has continued in
abeyance,but there are many signs that the post war problem in this
respect will be very different from those of pre -war yeart and that
very extensive works will be urgently necessary Many houses in
the Borough are now occupied by two families, a mother with children
whose husband is in the Forces letting off two rooms to a family in
similar circumstances, but in view of the low standard of the
Housing Act, 1936, there is no evidence of more overcrowding.
Treatment of scabies commenced in the new year and 475 persons
were treated at the Cleansing Station,but until sufferers present
themselves earlier for diagnosis and treatment and realise that
infection is an accident and not a disgrace there does not seem to
be much hope of eradicating the disease.
During the year accommodation for patients suffering from
typnus in the event of the disease being introduced into the
country was considered and the Borough Council came to an arrangement
with the County Council for the admission of cases in the first
instance tc London County Council Hospitals ana later to Bow Arrow
Hospital.
The demand for maternity accommodation has again exceeded
supply and the Maternity Home has continued to work with an average
of two midwives short of requirements which has placed a severe strain
on the rest of the staff. The Ministries of Health and Labour &
National Service are now reviewing the question of shortage of
midwives throughout the country and it is hoped that a solution will
soon be found. As a partial solution the Council agreed during the
year to employ non-resident midwives at the Home.
The Borough Ambulance had a 50% increase in calls and there
was a 100% increase in calls on outside ambulances and in view of