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Ophthalmic Department.—B. R. Medlycott, d.o.m.s., m.b., b.s.(Lond.), m.r.c.s., l.r.c.p., Ophthalmic
Surgeon to the Council.
STATISTICS.
Total annual attendances : 1947, 3,425 ; 1946, 3,181 ; 1945, 2,986.

The year 1947 has shown an appreciable increase in the total number of patients attending the Ophthalmic
Clinics. As in the past, one session per week was held at each of the Health Centres, with an Optician in attendance,
to take particulars of frame measurements, fit and adjust new spectacles and attend to repairs.
The practice of free choice of an Optician has been maintained throughout, but the presence of an Optician
on the spot undoubtedly facilitates the issue of new spectacles, and the speed with which repairs are executed.
Chronic diseases such as blepharitis and recurrent corneal ulceration, although still seen, are less numerous
than in the years before the war, and as a rule much less severe—an indication of a higher standard of general health
and cleanliness. Another satisfactory trend is the earlier attendance of children with strabismus. The belief or
hope that a child will grow out of a squint dies hard, however. Although this belief is, on occasion, justified,
unfortunately the strabismus disappears only too frequently at the cost of one amblyopic eye.
Ear, Nose and Throat Department.—G. H. Livingstone, f.r.c.s.— Mr. A. L. Pereira, f.r.c.s., has carried
on the work of this department in the absence of Mr. Livingstone.
HOME NURSING SERVICE.
The Home Nurse employed by the Council nursed 134 cases during 1947, and in connection with such cases
paid 630 visits.
The 134 cases nursed during 1947 were new cases. 124 of these cases were referred by the Health Department,
9 by private doctors and 1 by a hospital.
Ophthalmic cases received 9 visits.
SANITARY SECTION.
Staff.—During the year the staff of Sanitary Inspectors was increased, so that by December, 1947, the staff
on duty consisted of the Chief Sanitary Inspector, the Deputy Chief Sanitary Inspector, and twelve District Sanitary
Inspectors.
Food Poisoning.—During the year six outbreaks of illness caused, or suspected of having been caused, by
food poisoning were investigated. One of these outbreaks occurred at the Kilburn Polytechnic Canteen and
80 persons became ill. Another outbreak occurred in a factory canteen in Willesden, when 70 persons complained of
illness following a midday meal.
There has generally been an increase throughout the country in the number of cases of food poisoning.