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13
distribution being irrespective of the means of the family
if the full but reduced cost of the milk is paid. Also
a nodical certificate is no longer required, it being
acknowledged that all children, and Ante-natal or Nursing
Mothers must have cow's milk. The Food Officer therefore
appointed Mr. Harrison as Milk Officer, who, although he has
worked in the closest co-operation with the Public Health
Department has administered a separate Department. During
1940, approximately 2,700 persons were supplied with milk under
the Government Scheme. After the introduction of the
latter the local Council confined its spending to the provision
of extra milk for cases in which more than 1 pint per day was
considered desirable and the parents were unable to pay the full
cost of the extra milk required.
During the year the Council supplied 4,118 gallons
of liquid milk free of cost and also distributed 473½ lbs. of
dried milk.
DENTAL TREATMENT.
The scheme for providing dental treatment for AnteNatal
and Nursing Mothers and children under 5 years of age was
continued throughout 1940 but only 67 cases received treatment
compared with 76 and 90 in the last two years.
DAY NURSERIES.
The Purley and Coulsdon Day Nurseries were enabled to
re-open in 1940 after shelters had been provided by the Council,
but their total attendances were reduced owing to war influences
from 13,044 in 1938 to 5,768.
CHILD LIFE PROTECTION.
Inspections under Section 209 of the Public Health
Act 1936 continued uninterruptedly, 24 foster mothers being
under supervision and 41 children distributed among their homes.
The conditions found were generally satisfactory.
HOUSING.
The total number of houses inspected during 1940
including inspections under the Housing Act 1936 was 310, the
number of inspections for the purpose being 315. A total
of 128 dwelling houses were found not to be in all respects
reasonably fit for human habitation but 85 of these were
rendered fit in consequence of informal action.
Notices were served as follows:-under the Housing
Act 1936, 1,(rendered fit by Local Authority in default of
owners); under Public Health Act, 23,(9 rendered fit by Local
Authority in default of owners.
Two new cases of overcrowding were discovered
during the year but both were abated, together with 3 of the 6
cases known to exist at the begining of 1940. Thirty two
persons were concerned in the five cases relieved, while 25
persons in 3 families occupied the 3 houses still overcrowded
at the end of the year.
WATER SUPPLY.
No alterations in the sources of supply were made
during 1940. As a result of enemy action more samples were
examined than usual, 9 bacteriological and 4 chemical
examinations being made, but all reports were satisfactory.
Both companies continued their practice of maintaining a fairly
high percentage of free chlorine and very careful measures were
taken to prevent infection resulting from injury to mains, the
Public Health Department co-operating in the observation of
results.
There was no shortage of water during the year to
the District as a whole and although 36 samples were examined by