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Help was given during the year to 53 persons by way of clothing,
furnishings, fuel, grants towards debts, and fares to relatives visiting
patients in sanatoria. The Care Committee again provided a day's coach
outing to the sea for 31 patients and Christmas gifts for 53 patients.
The Annual Christmas Seal Sale Fund amounted to £182 and this was
supplemented by donations from various organisations, for which the
Care Committee is most grateful. Where possible grants were obtained
from statutory and voluntary funds, but where these could not be
obtained the funds of the Committee were used.
The Occupational Therapy Scheme was in abeyance this year, as the
therapist had resigned and no replacement could be found because of the
shortage of workers in this field.
Whooping Cough.
Seventy-six cases were notified during the year, the figure for
1958 being 36. There were no deaths from the disease.
Infectious Disease Contacts.
Where a person is precluded from continuing at work by reason of
being a carrier or having been in contact with.an infectious disease,
benefits under the National Insurance Act, 1946, are paid only on
production of a certificate from the Medical Officer of Health. It
was found necessary to issue one Such certificate during the year.
Section 26 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1959,
provides that when a Medical Officer of Health requests in writing a
person to discontinue his employment with a view to preventing the
spread of infectious disease, the Council may if they think fit compensate
such person for any loss occasioned by his compliance with that
request.
Authentication of International Certificates
of Vaccination and Inoculation.
A person proceeding abroad is required in certain countries to
produce a certificate of recent successful vaccination and inoculation,
and, in addition, the signature of the vaccinating doctor must be verified
by the Medical Officer of Health of the district. The signatures on 64.7
such certificates were verified, during the year, as those of medical
practitioners practising in Stepney and the certificates were endorsed
accordingly.
Disinfection.
Premises disinfected because of infectious disease numbered 76,
which included seven for pulmonary tuberculosis. 5,555 articles of
clothing and bedding were steam disinfected, including 1,023 articles
for export for whieh seven certificates were issued.
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