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than 20 years old. In both Shoreditch and Islington, all cases were within easy
"housefly distance" of the Regents Canal (the local children's "Lido") as mentioned
in the Medical Officer and Lancet in June/July, 1948. It is hoped that,
resulting from co-operation of the Food Office and Cleansing Department, our 1948
propaganda may help to reduce both flies and poliomyelitis.
Tuberculosis, and the activities of the Tuberculosis Dispensary are referred to at
greater length later in the report, but perhaps one should note here that the death
rate (0.74) from tuberculosis is the lowest recorded since 1938, which was, in turn,
the lowest ever recorded here (0.71).
The staff of Sanitary Inspectors was not complete until after 1947 had ended,
and the complaints of sanitary defects increased to 7,931 with more than 13,000 visits.
Despite this overwhelming flow, no complaint remained unanswered for more than
a day or two.
The activities of the Maternity and Child Welfare department are detailed later,
special reference being made to the history and working of the premature infants'
scheme, as this has received "higher" recognition in several directions.
Diphtheria immunisation figures have again shown that Shoreditch school
entrants are rather more completely protected than the average for London, but the
older age groups accounted for an undue proportion of the diphtheria patients. It
is hoped that the school population will attain a higher degree of immunity as a
result of the "reinforcing" injections, whose value is now being realised throughout
the country.
The work of the Borough Welfare Committee has grown rapidly since its formation
in October, 1947, especially as regards the recreation of Old People. The facilities
of Effingham House at Copthorne in Surrey have been extended to allow of a country
holiday for selected Old Age Pensioners ; and, in addition, Clubs are held on Wednesday
and Thursday afternoons at Haggerston Mission Hall, and on Monday afternoons
at Hoxton Hall. These clubs are attended by 60 or more old people who not merely
amuse themselves and obtain companionship, but also produce a variety of saleable
articles, thus enabling them to spend occasional days at the seaside, afternoons at
theatre matinees, and so forth. These activities, combined with the Home Helps
Service which is also extending apace, are helping to reduce the need for "Section 224"
removals, and are bringing light and activity into many otherwise lonely and useless
lives.