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53
During the year the homes of some 16 children, 1 boy and 15 girls,
notified as verminous by the School Medical Officer, were reported with a
view to the homes, bedding, etc., where necessary, being dealt with by the
Sanitary Authority, whilst the children were cleaned and their clothing disinfected
at the cleansing stations of the London County Council. Intimations
were received that 1 boy and 11 girls had been given the opportunity of
being cleansed at these stations, that in the case of 1 girl a Statutory Notice
had been served upon the parents to cleanse the child within 24 hours
under Section 122 of the Children's Act, 1908, and that in the case of 3 girls
legal proceedings were pending for non-compliance with the requirements of
Statutory Notices uhder this Act.
In all the cases reported the homes were visited by the Sanitary Inspectors,
and the following summarizes the reports received. Fifteen of the rooms
were satisfactory, varying from fairly clean to very clean, and one was dirty.
In 14 instances the bedding was clean or fairly so, and in 2 verminous. In
two of the homes evidence of poverty was marked. No evidence of lice was
found in connection with any of the homes.
The children reported by the School Authorities as suffering from scabies
numbered 66, of whom 39 were females. As a result of the enquiries made
21 other cases came under observation. As far as practicable steps were
taken to prevent infection spreading.
London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1928, Section 28.
Application was made to the Magistrate for the removal of two individuals
to St. Leonard's Hospital under this Section. In both cases the order
was granted and removal effected without difficulty.
Schools.
The sanitary condition of the Public Elementary Schools in the Borough,
twenty-five in number, is satisfactory.
Food Poisoning.
By Section 7 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1932,
the duty is imposed upon medical practitioners of notifying cases of food
poisoning, and of suspected food poisoning.
The number of cases notified during the year was 20, and in connection
with these the Sanitary Inspectors made 29 visits. Upon investigation none
of the cases appeared to amount to anything more serious than slight digestive
disturbance.