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22
The Local Authority use the services of the nurses for the
home treatment of such cases as puerperal fever, ophthalmia,
pemphigus, etc.
In the present building, only these few nurses can be housed.
The result of the meagre staffing is that only the nearby portion
of the district can be served. To remedy this state, the County
Nursing Association has decided on the erection of a Branch Home
on a site in a central portion of the district. Work has already
commenced 011 this home. This building will be for the purpose
of: (a) establishing a branch home for the training of midwifery
pupils and (b) for carrying on the work previously done by the
Dagenham District Nursing Association for midwifery and general
nursing services.
The building will be owned and maintained by the County
Nursing Association, who will also have control of matters relating
to the training of midwives. Other matters will still be dealt with
by the local District Nursing Association Committee.
(b) For Infectious Diseases.
The same arrangement continues as to the home visiting of
Scarlet Fever cases by the Health Visitors.
Home Helps arc provided in eases of domestic difficulties
arising out of the home treatment of these eases.
Midwives.
There are no midwives in the district employed by the Local
Authority. At the end of the year there were 18 midwives living
in the district whose practices were confined almost entirely to this
area.
In addition, three midwives live on the boundaries of the
district and have some cases here.
Laboratory Facilities.
The examination of clinical material is undertaken at the
psex County Public Health Laboratory, Queen Victoria Street,
London. During the year :—
663 swabs were examined for Diphtheria bacillus.
205 samples of sputum for Tuberculosis.
17 samples of hair for ringworm.