View report page

number of protected children is still too low. Those children
protected against diphtheria by injection treatment when under
three years of age should have a reinforcing injection just prior to
commencing school life to assure high protection over the next
few years. With the co-operation of the Head Teachers of the
schools this is now being brought to the notice of parents.
Such a reinforcing dose was given to 496 children prior to
December, 1945, and during the first six months of 1946 to 313
children. It is hoped that these figures, too, will become much
greater.
The arrangements for the cleansing of verminous persons and
dealing with verminous conditions detailed in previous Reports
were taken during 1945 and the figures are given in the appendix.
The generalisation remains true that this is scarcely a Public
Health problem in Wembley. Only 11 cases had to be referred to
Kensington Medicinal Baths for treatment more intensive than
could be given by the Health Visitors at the Clinics or in the
homes. 4 cases were referred to the Department by factory
welfare officers, one by a private medical practitioner, one by a
hospital, one by a district nurse, while one person made individual
application to the Public Health Department for advice. The
co-ordination of the Maternity and Child Welfare and School
Health Services is having material effect in the reduction of
school-children with nits in the hair. This is real preventive
medicine, as in the great majority of cases early ascertainment
means immediate and entire elimination of the condition, and
parents are most appreciative of this service.
F. The figures submitted regarding the work of the Sanitary
Inspectorial Staff are a record of much accomplished under continuously
very difficult conditions. The seriousness of the housing
situation requires no emphasis to the Council who have been
throughout keenly sensitive about the problem while, in addition,
the general man-power situation has rendered even amelioration of
urgent conditions sometimes almost impossible. The scarcity of
housing accommodation is continually adding to the problem of
overcrowding. The minimum standard regarding overcrowding
under the Housing Acts is low indeed, but overcrowding has also
been increasing in other ways than can be measured by these
minimum statutory requirements, so many family units now
having to share accommodation primarily intended for only one
family. Only 10 cases could be relieved during 1945, and while on
the 31st December, the number of houses known to be overcrowded
in accordance with the Housing Acts' standard was 197,
by April, 1946, this figure had become 267 and now (20th July,
1946) the figure is 340. The physical difficulties, together with
the psychological trials of individual families not having their
9