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(c) Noise from stamping machines. The manufacturers of the machines were consulted by the firm and
certain parts were replaced.
(d) Noise from panel-beating, especially at night and weekends, was a temporary nuisance due to the
execution of an urgent order. After consultation the night work and weekend work were given up.
(e) Noise from electric motors and dynamos, boiler, air compressor, and buffing and polishing machines,
The silencing of the boiler and air compressor was carried out, and the owners called in a noise consultant,
who reported that all reasonable precautions were being taken to prevent noise.
(f) Noise from heavy machinery and compressors used in building operations, especially at weekends,
After consultation weekend work was given up and in a short time other building was completed.
(g) Noise from circular saw and electric motor was remedied by replacing bearings and remounting the
saw on a solid structure.
The 3 outstanding cases were as follows :—
(a) High-pitched whine and clanging from extractor fans in power station.
(b) Noise from plastics-pressing machinery at night.
(c) Noise from cutting-in of refrigerator.
CARE OF THE AGED
With an increase in the number of old people in the population it is becoming more and more
necessary to extend our medical and welfare services to care adequately for them.
Most old people can manage to look after themselves, but some require help to keep them comfortable
and happy in their own homes, while a small minority cannot be adequately cared for except in a hospital
or institution. The local health authority provides home nurses and home helps; the health visitors often
investigate the needs of old people and arrange for the necessary services to be given.
When an aged person requires to be admitted to a hospital or an institution, consultation often
takes place between the medical practitioner, the geriatric physician, the welfare officer and the medical officer
of health. Generally speaking, it has become easier to obtain hospital admission for an aged patient, and the
geriatric physician and his almoner work in close co-operation with the local health and district authorities.
There is still, however, a great need for more hospital accommodation. Very exceptionally compulsory
powers may require to be used when the old person, against his own interests, refuses to go into a hospital
or hostel.
The National Assistance Act, 1948, permits the removal to an institution of a person in need of care
and attention by the Council; an order for removal is made by a court of summary jurisdiction, but seven
clear days' notice of an intended application must be given. The National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951,
permits immediate removal provided the medical officer of health and another registered medical practitioner
certify that it is in the interests of the person to remove him without delay; the order in this case can
be made either by a court of summary jurisdiction or by a single justice having such jurisdiction. The
amending Act modifies the period from three months to three weeks for a person to be detained in the first
instance. No action was necessary under the Acts during 1953.
Laundry for the Aged
The care of incontinent old people places a particularly heavy burden on their relatives. The
washing of soiled linen, particularly in cramped accommodation in winter, with inadequate facilities for
drying, adds another intolerable strain on relatives which often finally convinces them that the only place
where the old person can receive reasonable care is in an institution. One way, therefore, of postponing
this unpopular event, is to help relatives with the washing of the soiled linen of incontinents. It is much more
economical and humane to provide reasonable facilities for old people in their homes than to transfer them
to institutions.
Accordingly, the Council organised a laundry service for aged incontinent persons in April, 1952,
under Section 84 of the Public Health Act, 1936, which gives powers to the authority to cleanse articles in
so filthy a condition as to be dangerous to health. The articles are laundered and ironed at the Neasden
Hospital by arrangement with the Central Middlesex Hospital Management Committee at a cost of 4Jd,
per lb., and transport is provided by the Borough Council.
Twelve cases were brought forward from 1952, and another 23 were dealt with during the year.
Eleven cases died, 8 were admitted to hospital, and 2 left the district; 14 cases were using the service on
the 31st December, 1953.
Voluntary Services for the Aged
The care of the aged is an excellent example of how work of voluntary organisation supplements
that of local authorities. The main extension of the work of the care for the aged during the year was
carried out by voluntary effort, and no praise can be too high for the voluntary helpers who spent time and
energy on this work.
The '49' Club organised by the Willesden Old Folks Association has grown from strength to
strength, and it celebrated its first anniversary on the 28th February, 1953, at the Anson Hall, Cricklewood,
when 300 members attended. 165 members and helpers went on a summer outing to Clacton on the 7th
September, 1953.