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16
HOME NURSING SERVICE.
The Home Nurse employed by the Council nursed 404 cases during the year, and in connection
with such cases paid 3,895 visits. 1,015 of these visits were paid in the South Kilburn Ward, 775 in the
Mid-Kilburn Ward, 684 in the North Kilburn Ward, 321 in the Kensal Rise Ward, 311 in the Stonebridge
Ward, 254 in the Roundwood Ward, 205 in the Cricklewood Ward, and smaller numbers in
the other wards of Willesden.
Of the 404 cases nursed during the year, 394 were new cases. 327 of these 394 new cases were
referred by the Health Department for nursing, 33 by private doctors and 34 by Hospitals, Associations
and private persons.
Ophthalmia neonatorum received 195 visits and other ophthalmia cases 747 visits.
SANITARY WORK.
The number of houses in Willesden at the end of 1932 was 30,829. (Flats contained under
one roof being counted as one house.)
During the year the total number of inspections and re-inspections made by the Sanitary
Staff was 26,503 as compared with 22,071 in 1931.
The houses inspected under the Housing Acts numbered 1,107 as compared with 876 in 1931.
The number of complaints received, 3,554, is higher than in 1931.
The total number of Notices issued and nuisances abated were 6,454 and 21,482 respectively.
Work done under the Housing Acts is shown in the tabular statement in the body of the report.
Of the twelve houses closed as unfit for human habitation in 1925, three are still in occupation.
Smoke and Sulphurous Fumes.—Early in the year an adjoining district was troubled by
sulphurous fumes from one of the generating stations, which " practically killed the flowers and damaged
the shrubs growing in this Council's Recreation Ground." Since the installation of a new gaswashing
plant at these works there has not been a recurrence.
At the second generating station where electrostatic precipitators are installed there has been
an improvement since coal with a lower ash content has been used.
The third generating station has created nuisances in this and an adjoining district by the
emission of grit from pulverised fuel, necessitating the service of Statutory Notices. At these
works, where the " water spray " system is in operation, emissions were due to mechanical breakdown,
mainly brought about through insufficient water supply. As a result of interviews with representatives
of the Company, new pipe lines, new sprays, new pumps and a new settling tank are being
installed.
Chimneys of boiler plants other than the generating stations have given little trouble, and
in no instance was it necessary to serve a Statutory Notice.
PUBLIC MORTUARY.
During the year there were 105 admissions to the Mortuary, as compared with 115 in 1931;
7 of these were admitted for accommodation only; 32 were admitted for an inquest only; 57 were
admitted for a post-mortem only ; and 9 were admitted for post-mortem followed by an inquest.
The total number of post-mortems performed during the year was 66.
The doctors who have performed these post-mortem examinations have almost invariably
expressed their satisfaction with the arrangements now existing for post-mortem examination. It is
also worthy of record that the undertakers bringing bodies merely for accommodation have equally
expressed their appreciation of the conditions obtaining at the Mortuary.
MOTOR AMBULANCE SERVICE.
The demands on the Motor Ambulance Service continue to increase.
During the year 5,497 calls were made for the Council's ambulances as compared with 5,171
in 1931, 5,016 in 1930 and 4,728 in 1929.
Altogether 132,208 miles were run in 1932 as compared with 131,564 in 1931, 125,528 in 1930
and 111,338 in 1929.
Approximately 300 defective children are on the lists for daily conveyance by the Council's
school ambulances to and from the special schools.
The detailed report of the 18th year of working of the Motor Ambulance Service appears
as Appendix C.
MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL.
The 41st Annual Report on the Municipal Hospital written by Dr. Troup appears later in
this report.
Your obedient Servant,
GEORGE F. BUCHAN,
Medical Officer of Health.