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BEX9
have "been put into operation so far as they arc applicable, and
arrangements sought with the County Council whore joint efforts
would be more applicable and economical, for example, in residential
nursery accommodation not only for the illegitimate child but for
children whose mothers need to be admitted to hospital; the only
accommodate on in this part of the county is very limited and supplied
by the public Assistance Committee. The services of the Rochester
Diocesan Council in the provision of hostels has been appreciated
and arrangements made for contributions per case. The rise in
illegitimacy should not necessarily bv attributed to a lowering of
moral standards, but it must be appreciate. that opportunity for
marriage to legitimise an expected birth is very often impossible in
war time. In peace time in England and wales 20% of first births
were legitimised by marriage after conceoption.
By the end of the year four days nurseries were in operation in
the Borough, and one 24 hour nursery, There was a waiting list of
75 children for admission. The Okehampton Nursery for 60 children
was in course of erection and a nursery in Bellsgrove Road, Welling,
proposed, as the Ministry of Labour required provision for children
of mothers in part time employment During the year there and no
accommodation available for children whose mothers were in part-time
. employment The nurseries hove continued to serve an essential
purpose with obvious benefit physically and mentally to the children
in them. With nursing supervision the physical side of children in
nurseries has always been well catered for and with further development
during the year of the educational side the role of the nursery
is assuming its proper proportions.
The continued high birth rate with large clinic attendances has
necessitated increased ante-natal and child welfare sessions and the
Council agreed to the use of adaptable premises in Wrotham Road and
Falconwcod. The provision of clinic accommodation in these areas was
held up by the outbreak of war but could not be postponed any longer.
This additional service is appreciated as judged by attendances. It
was also necessary to increase the dental sessions as the waiting
list was becoming alarmingly big.
The housing position becomes more acute but as new houses cannot
be provided before the end of the war, the Council have before them
schemes for post-war housing. I estimate that at least 500 new house
-are required in the Borough for the rehousing of families living in
houses net fit for habitation or overcrowded as judged by the Housing
Act Standards in addition to 618 houses required for rehousing of
families still living in areas .scheduled under Slum Clearance before
the war. With the addition of houses required for married couples
living with parents and new marriages a big programme lies, ahead.
The number of new cases of scabies coming to my notice did not
diminish during the year and many contacts were not being treated as
the disease was not notifiable in the Borough. The necessary power
was obtained therefore for the disease to be notifiable as from the
1st November.' Since then all notified cases and contacts have been,
followed up to see that they obtained treatment either at the
Cleansing Station, or at homo under the patient's own doctor. 129
cases were notified in the two months and during the year 728 cases
and contacts attended for treatment at the Cleansing Station. The
bathing and treatment is given by Civil Defence personnel and for
this and help in other activities of the Health Department we are
deeply indebted to them.
An event of Public Health importance in the Borough during the
year was the setting up of the Tuberculosis After Care Committee.
A band, of very energetic voluntary workers has commenced work on a
very large test. As Tuberculosis is as much an economic calamity
in the average household as a medical problem the wok of the After
Care Committee will go far to mitigate its evils and thereby prevent
its spread.
I have to thank the members of the Council and officers of other
departments for their helpful consideration and express my indebtedness
to all members of the Health Department.
GEO. P. BRAMLSY, M.D., Ch.B., D.P.H.,
Medical Officer of Health