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4
During the year concern was shown regarding the condition
of the River Brent as it flows through Ealing on its way to the
River Thames. Undoubtedly it has been contaminated at various
points on its course and a County conference convened by Ealing
has led to a more lively appreciation of the position and the
prospect of a considerable improvement in the position as a result
of our efforts. We have made it clear to all concerned that we
intend to have a clear stream and not an open sewer in our midst.
The laundry service for old people suffering from incontinency
has become an established part of our Public Health work and now
that we have got through the teething troubles there can be no
question of the enormous relief given to the families of people in
need of it. This is a small service which could only function
where there is the will to make it succeed, and a reasonable size
of area to cover. In Ealing's 180,000 population only about 25
persons seem to be regularly in need of the service and yet no
section of the community is in worse necessity.
It is always a sign of "liveliness" in a department when
research is being undertaken and I am glad to inform the Council
that the Public Health Department is not neglecting the possibilities
of research. Unfortunately, the only officers who can undertake
medical investigation are of course your Deputy, Dr. Binysh, and
myself. I am pleased to inform you that Dr. Binysh has been
carrying out some useful investigations into the results of whooping
cough immunisation which have been very valuable to the laboratory
services, whilst I (in conjunction with a County Council officer,
Dr. Craigmile) have been continuing to investigate and trying to
elucidate the prevention of foot deformities in children. Progress
is slow, but our knowledge of the ramifications of this problem is
widening.
A matter of special concern to the health services during 1952
was the fog of December. How it affected Ealing is outlined
in the report but its prevention in the future is a matter that needs
government action of an energetic kind. That our deaths were
about six times as high as they are normally at that time of the
year is a matter of great concern and any action that can be taken
to prevent this will certainly receive wholehearted support in
Ealing.
I have, I am afraid, little to say of the system under which
the County Council has since 1948 taken over the control of the
greater part of the health services of the Borough. The
progress of time only emphasises the terrible mistake the
Government made when for the sake of "tidy" administration
they took the whole of the personal health services out of
the hands of the Boroughs and put them into those of the