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40
In my monthly reports I regularly kept my Sanitary Committee, the
Council and the Education Committee, fully informed of the position as
regards measles. In my report for July I presented the statistics for the
previous five months of 1916. In my report as M.O.H. for November, presented
on 6th December, I drew special attention to the fact that 203 notifications
had been received during that calendar month in 139 houses, and that
the two women inspectors had paid 201 visits on this account, so that they
were suffering from over-work, and not able to give their other duties amongst
women and children much attention. I said that "shortage of staff must
produce shortage of work."
Ata special meeting of the Sanitary Committee, on Dec. 13th,I presented further
statistics, showing that during the first quarter of 1916 I had received 69 notifications,
during the second quarter of 1916 I had received 283 notifications, during the
third quarter of 1916 I had received 160 notifications, and that, for the fourth
quarter, up to and including the 13th day of December, I had received 490
notifications; and that the visiting was already nine days in arrears, so
there was regrettable delay in excluding contacts from School, and mothers
from work in factories and workshops. Two important letters from the Local
Government Board were the subject of discussion. One, dated 9th, was with
reference to maternity and child welfare (quod vide). The other, dated 8th,
enquired as to the measures the Council were taking to control the epidemic,
and pointing out the urgent necessity for prompt visiting, especially where
no doctor was in attendance; the Board were willing to contribute up to
half the cost of the extra outlay. I then reported that I had taken steps,
as empowered by the Regulations of 1915, to obtain the closure of all Sunday,
private, public elementary and secondary schools, also of evening continuation
classes held in our schools.
On Monday, the 17th, and Wednesday, 19th, December, Dr.J.R.
Hutchison, Medical Inspector, L.G.B., visited Edmonton with reference to
the Council's arrangements about this epidemic, and also with reference to
the provision for mother and' child welfare. On the latter occasion he was
met by the Chairman of the Council and the Chairman of this Committee.
On 19th December I circularised the medical practitioners informing
them that my Council had provided a nurse to attend the worst cases at
home, and asking the doctors to state on their notification whether her help
would be needed. From December 14th to 31st, Miss Wrampling, our school
nurse, taking advantage of the school closure, paid 109 visits to 44 cases.
At the next ordinary Council Meeting (December 27th), the recommendations
of the Special Sanitary Committee were confirmed, viz., the appointment
of a third Woman Inspector (and Health Visitor) and the procuring of one
or two fully-trained nurses.