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7 per cent. for enlarged tonsils and adenoids, as compared with 16 per cent. in the Public
Elementary Schools;
11.2 per cent. for dental defects, as compared with 23.5 per cent. in the Public Elementary
Schools; and
3.1 per cent. for deformities, as compared with 0.4 per cent. in the Public Elementary Schools.
These deformities are mainly flat foot and spinal curvature (round shoulders, etc.).
On the other hand malnutrition, skin and minor eye and ear defects, enlarged glands, anaemia
and diseases of the nervous system were notably in excess amongst the Public Elementary children
there being few of these conditions noted at the Secondary and Trade Schools.
Treatment.
As regards treatment of defects it would appear that amongst Secondary and Trade School
pupils:—
54 per cent. of visual defects receive treatment as against some 73 per cent. amongst Public
Elementary School children; and
21 per cent. of enlarged tonsils and adenoids and deflected septum, as against 38 per cent.
amongst Public Elementary School children.
Approximately 41 per cent. of dental defects of Secondary and Trade School pupils receive
treatment as compared with approximately the same percentage amongst the elementary school
children, the scheme for the dental treatment of elementary school children in Willesden being
admittedly incomplete.
It may be said that practically all minor ailments and such defects as malnutrition, enlarged
glands, heart disease and anaemia, deafness, etc., and deformities which require treatment amongst
Secondary and Trade School pupils receive some form of treatment.
The treatment of deformities (mainly flat foot and spinal curvature) consists mainly of special
exercises advised by the School Medical Inspector to the Head Teacher or parent.
The percentage of the total defects of Secondary and Trade School pupils receiving treatment
may be put at approximately 50 per cent. as compared with approximately 88 per cent. amongst
Public Elementary School children.
PROVISION OF MEALS.
98,104 meals were supplied in 1929 as compared with 97,126 in 1928.
The recipients of these meals are mainly children of the unemployed, widows and deserted
wives.
HOME NURSING SERVICE.
The Home Nurse employed by the Council nursed 384 cases during the year, and in connection
with such cases paid 3,597 visits. 546 of these visits were paid in the South Kilburn Ward, 528 in the
Kensal Rise Ward, 504 in the Mid-Kiburn Ward, 371 in the Church End Ward, and smaller numbers
in the other wards of Willesden.
Of the 434 cases nursed during the year, 428 were new cases. 169 of these 428 new cases were
referred by the Health Department for nursing, 40 by private doctors and 299 by Hospitals,
Associations and private persons.
Circumcision cases referred from Hospitals received 235 visits. Ophthalmia neonatorum
received 507 visits and other ophthalmia cases 290 visits.
SANITARY WORK.
The number of houses in Willesden at the end of 1929 was 28,800.
During the year the total number of inspections and re-inspections made by the Sanitary
Staff was 23,713 as compared with 28,799 in 1928.
The houses inspected under the Housing Acts numbered 1,281, as compared with 1,284 in 1928.
The number of complaints received, 2,394, remains about the same.
The total number of Notices issued and nuisances abated were 6,994 and 16,657 respectively
Considerable work has been done under Section 3, Housing Act, 1925, as shown in the tabular
statement in the body of the report.
Of the twelve houses closed as unfit for human habitation in 1925, four are still in occupation.
Smoke.—The nuisance caused by the emission of grit from the use of pulverised fuel at a large
generating station continued during the greater part of the year.