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5
MOTHERCRAFT HOME. (Vic-let Melchett Infant Welfare Centre).
During the year, the Borough Council agreed to: (a) the
reservation of one bed in the Mothercraft Home for the reception
of a mother and baby when discharged from a maternity ward;
and (b) two beds for the reception of young children in the case
of the mother's illness or other home emergency. The Council
also agreed to bear the difference between the weekly charges
made by the Centre and the parents' contributions in respect
of approved Chelsea persons filling these places, for a period
not exceeding four weeks in each case. The scheme came into
operation on 1st October, 1946. By the end of the year, 5
mothers with babies had been received and 6 children admitted
on account of mother's illness or other home emergency. A total
expenditure of £77. 14. 0. was incurred. Of this, £14. 7. 8. was
met by the parents' contributions, leaving £63. 6. 4. as the
net cost to the Council.
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES AMD ADMINISTRATION.
During the year, 13,274 visits (including revisits) were
carried out by the Sanitary Inspectors.
898 ntimation Notices, 149 Nuisance Notices, and 8 Notices
(Section 40 - Drainage) under the Public Health (London) Act,
1936, were served. In addition, a further 5 Notices were served
under section 13 of the Food & Drugs Act, 1938.
Legal proceedings, in ten instances, were instituted under
the Public Health (London) Act, 1936. every case abatement
orders were obtained, proceedings in respect of two
infringements of the London County Council (Drainage) Byelaws,
and one infringement of the London County Council (Water Closet)
Byelaws, resulted in the imposition of penalties.
DISINFECTION OR DISINFESTATION. The routine disinfection of
rooms after the occurrence or infectious disease was continued
and also disinfestation for vermin. At the Council's Disinfecting
Station, 17,733 articles were disinfected or disinfested.
SCABLES. 279 adults and 180 children were treated at the
Cleansing Station. The total number of treatments was 1,049.
Disinfection of the patients' personal clothing was carried out
whilst the patients were being treated. The Woman Sanitary
Inspector inspected the homes, and arranged for examination of
contacts.
VERMINOUS PERSONS. 51 adults and 402 children (including
children attending elementary schools) were cleansed at the
Disinfecting Station.
INFESTATION BY HEAD LICE. Special attention and advice is given
by the Health Visitors at the Welfare Centre and when visiting
homes. Suitable combs are available when necessary.
DESTRUCTION OF RATS AND MICE. During the year, an intensified
campaign was put into force in accordance with the requirements
of the Ministry of Food under Circular N.S. No. 12. To ensure
the successful prosecution of the campaign, it was necessary
to engage additional staff on a temporary basis, and the
services of six rat catchers and one female clerk were secured.
The scheme came into operation on 19th august, 1946. Prior
to this date, all rodent control work had been carried out by
the Council's Rodent Officer and one assistant.
The following is a summary of the work carried out during
the year:-
P.T.O.