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23
CHIROPODY (Table 82)
There has been a great demand for chiropody treatment again this year. The geriatric clinic was
opened this year and there was soon a long waiting list of patients requiring treatment.
Old people require to be treated with considerable caution because the senile tissue is very fragile.
Most of them also suffer from a systemic disease which has a direct effect on their feet; for example, some
patients suffering from arthritis can be made comfortable by means of padding which relieves pressure on
the painful areas. Apart from the usual corns and callouses, malformation of the nails is very common and
can have a crippling effect on the patient.
Children continue to attend in large numbers for chiropody treatment. The number of children with
foot infections increased but they are quickly remedied. Conditions caused by ill-fitting footwear are the
most difficult to treat, because most children are reluctant to change to more suitable shoes. A high percentage
of children were not present at the shops when their shoes were bought. The necessity of having both
feet fitted when shoes are purchased must be stressed.
HOME SAFETY
The Willesden Home Safety Committee which was formed in November, 1956, has done valuable
work during the year. It is a voluntary committee which has the support of both the Willesden Borough and
Middlesex County Councils. The Borough Council made a further grant of £100 to the committee's funds in
the financial year 1961/62.
The Committee's aim is to reduce the number of accidents which occur in homes in Willesden.
mostly affecting children under five years and people over 65 years of age. Its terms of reference were outlined
in the report for 1956.
The Willesden Borough Council and twenty-four local organisations are represented on the Committee,
which is affiliated to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the National Home Safety
Committee. The Committee is also a member of the British Standards Institution and the Consumers' Association
Limited.
Five committee meetings and three meetings of the 'Willesden Show' Sub-committee were held during
the year.
The Committee participated in the National 'Water Safety' Campaign held in the summer. Posters
were displayed on Council notice boards and in the public libraries and booklets and bookmarks were distributed
from clinics, libraries, schools, swimming pools and from doctors' surgeries.
The Committee also participated in the National 'Fire Prevention' Campaign, held in the winter.
Posters were displayed on Council notice boards and in the public libraries, and leaflets were distributed at
Christmas time. In addition, the Committee also played an active part during the National'Fire Prevention
Week' which was held from 30th October to 5th November. Exhibitions were held in the clinics, in a large
department store and in the foyers of five cinemas. In two of the cinemas a fire prevention film was shown.
On 4th October, Alderman Mrs. Louise Dunbar, Mayor of Willesden and Vice-Chairman of the
Committee, held a Reception at the Anson Hall for people engaged in home safety work and representatives
from interested organisations. Approximately 200 guests attended. Dr. Johnson, M.P., Chairman of the
Parliamentary Home Safety Committee, gave a short talk and members of the Committee acted as hosts.
The reception was very successful and much interest was shown in the Committees' work.
2,000 copies of the second edition of the Home Safety Handbook were distributed and a third edition
will be published in 1962.
6,000 copies of a leaflet 'Home and Everyday Accidents' were distributed by the Housing and
Estates Manager to Council tenants.
Members of the Committee and the Divisional Officer of the Fire Service gave seven talks to local
organisations, and approximately 300 people attended. 200 copies of the Readers' Digest Handbook of
First Aid were purchased and distributed at the talks when appropriate.
A display was exhibited at the Willesden Show in September with the theme of 'Protect your Child'.
The Chairman and Members attended to answer questions and distribute literature.
Last year, at the request of the Willesden Youth Organiser, a course of seven lectures and examination
was arranged for the Girls' Guildry in connection with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Six girls
passed the examination at the Bronze Standard; two of these girls were successful in passing at the Silver
Standard this year.
The Chairman attended a conference on 'Accident Prevention' and the National 'Water Safety Campaign'
held at the Croydon Technical College in June; two members attended the National Home Safety
Conference held at Church House, Westminster, in November; and one member attended several meetings
of the Area 10 Home Safety Committee, which has representatives from all the Home Safety Committees in
Greater London and Middlesex.