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The Water supply is controlled by the Metropolitan Water Board and is
relayed from public mains direct to the houses. No complaint was received
about the quality of the main supply. Bacteriological examinations were
made of 17 samples taken from six wells located in the borough.
In the matter of civil defence the personnel of the Light Rescue service
showed commendable enthusiasm and skill in the work of rescue and primary
treatment of casualties caused during the flying bomb attacks on Shoreditch.
Considerable assistance was also rendered to other boroughs during the year
by the Medical A.R.P. Services. The mobile and fixed first aid posts also
did good work and the mobile canteens were in attendance at all the incidents
in the borough as well as at many others in adjacent boroughs of group 3.
The spraying of shelters continued and infestation was kept under constant
control. Disinfection and disinfestation of fire watchers' and other A.R.P.
bedding was undertaken, 75,998 articles being treated by hot air during the
year.
The work in the war-time nurseries was maintained, a total of 27,989
attendances being made during the year. The nursery, with accommodation
for 62 children, which was opened at Vince Street in 1943 and served the
southern area of the borough, was completely destroyed by a flying bomb
on the 6th August, 1944. It was fortunate that this incident occurred on
a Sunday, otherwise the casualty list might possibly have been high, although
the air-raid shelter suffered only from blast. The convalescent home for
15 children at Mayfield was closed in August, 1944, owing to the danger from
flying bombs in that area, and the residential nursery at Copthorne was
evacuated to Starkie House, Adlington, Cheshire, from 31st July until 15th
September, 1944.
In March, 1944, local authorities were advised by the Ministry of Health
to inaugurate a scheme for the care of the premature infant. Suggestions
were made regarding the purchase of equipment which could be lent to
suitable cases and administrative measures for the care of the child either at
home or in an institution were recommended. The scheme was put into
operation in the borough forthwith. Equipment such as special cots,
bedding, clothing, etc., was purchased. The services of a consultant
paediatrician were secured and an arrangement was made whereby certain
infants and their mothers could be admitted to the institution of the
Mothercraft Training Society at Cromwell House, Higligate. The supervision
of premature infants in their own homes was carried out by a health
visitor with wide experience in home visiting and infant feeding, who, in
November, 1944, attended a post-graduate course in the premature baby ward
at the Sorrento Maternity Hospital, Birmingham. It is anticipated that the
skilled care given will save the lives of many infants and help to protect
those who survive against the diseases to which premature infants are prone.