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As a result of this correspondence it was agreed that during the school vacation preceding the
last term at which a blind child attends school the child should be examined at the Middlesex County
Council's Special Certifying Ophthalmic Clinic so as to ascertain if the child were blind within the
meaning of the Blind Persons Act, 1920. This procedure is being duly carried out in respect of Willesden
children in attendance at schools for the blind and partially blind.
At the present time the Willesden Authority undertake on behalf of the County Authority certain
ophthalmic treatment in connection with secondary, etc., pupils for which they receive payment,
namely:—
7/6 per pupil submitted for refraction ;
5/- per pair for spectacles, if provided ; and the actual cost of repairs when carried out.
It will be observed from the letter of the County Medical Officer that it is suggested—
(1) that myopic children on leaving the public elementary schools at the age of 14 years or
over;
(2) that myopic children on leaving secondary, etc., schools at the age of 16 years or over;
(3) that high myopic children on leaving special schools at the age of 16 years or over who
are not certifiable under the Blind Persons Act, 1920;
should continue to have supervision at the expense of the County Council on the basis already in
operation for secondary, etc., pupils.
It should be observed that the scheme outlined by the County Council refers only to children
who have attended rate-aided schools in Willesden or Middlesex whether elementary or secondary,
etc., and probably high myopic children sent to special schools and that such children would require
to attend the school clinics during their working hours.
A myopic child having attended a private school in Willesden or Middlesex or a rate-aided
school outside Willesden or Middlesex would be excluded from the benefit. As the scheme is framed
under a general Act referring to "persons ordinarily resident within their area" and as the total
number of cases required to be dealt with in this way would not be large, it would appear that the
benefit should be general.
GEORGE F. BUCHAN,
Medical Officer of Health.
APPENDIX P.
7th July, 1938.
MEMORANDUM BY THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH ON SLAUGHTER
HOUSES.
(I) Present Position.
There are two classes of Slaughter Houses—Registered and Licensed.
A Registered Slaughter House is one that was in existence under the Towns Improvement
Clauses Act, 1847, and prior to the Public Health Act, 1875, and so is registered for all time. Their
existence depends upon their being in continuous use and occupation. Slaughtering in them may be
forbidden for a period of two months on conviction for an offence against the Act or byelaws and
may be absolutely forbidden on conviction for a second or subsequent offence. (Section 129/1847.)
Willesden has one such Slaughter House, viz., Milton, Hersant & Sons, 36, High Street, Harlesden,
Bullocks, calves, sheep and pigs are slaughtered and the premises are kept in excellent condition.
Licensed Slaughter Houses are divided into two classes—those licensed after the Public Health
Act, 1875, and those licensed after the adoption of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1890.
The former is a personal licence and lapses on the death or retiral from business of the original licensee.
The latter is licensed for a period of not less than twelve months. (Section 29/1890.) These licences
may also be suspended or revoked as in the case of the registered premises. (Section 31/1890.)
Willesden has two licensed Slaughter Houses, each being granted an annual licence, viz., (Mrs.) Walter
Beard, 345, High Road, Kilburn, and Smith & Spalding, Holly Lane, Willesden. Sheep only are
slaughtered at Beards, averaging some 4 or 5 sheep and lambs per week. Horses only are slaughtered
at Smith & Spaldings but during the past few years only occasionally has a horse been slaughtered,
the main business being carried on at Markfield Road, Tottenham, and the Cattle Market, Islington.
Beards' premises are kept in a satisfactory condition. Smith & Spaldings' premises were kept
satisfactorily on the few occasions when in use. For the past two years these latter premises have
been occupied by a greengrocer and fruiterer who uses the Slaughter House as a storage for foodstuffs
and covered wagon and the lairage as a stable. The premises are kept in a cleanly condition. Smith
& Spalding have applied yearly for their licence in order that they may have premises in this part
of London to meet the requirements of their business. Apart from the desirability of abolishing such
places I know of no good reason why their licence should be refused.