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7
It is now five years since the intensive policy with regard to the elimination
of unhealthy dwellings began. In that time 71 areas, comprising 667 houses, have
been represented by me in Woolwich. An additional four areas, comprising 538
houses, have been represented by officers of the London County Council. The
number of persons rehoused or to be rehoused in all is 5,611. Detailed information
with regard to each of these areas is given in this year's annual report, or has been
given in reports of previous years. There remain other clearance areas to be dealt
with both by the London County Council and by the Borough Council, but the
housing situation is very much better than it was five years ago.
It is not possible to give such definite information with regard to overcrowding.
A large number of the known cases of overcrowding have been abated in diverse
ways, but one cannot be sure that there is not overcrowding elsewhere. Only after
another housing survey, similar to that carried out in 1936, can it be definitely stated
that the overcrowding position is definitely improved.
Compared with 1937, there was an increase in the incidence of scarlet fever,
507 as against 428, and a decrease in the incidence of diphtheria, 264 as against
297. There were 4 deaths from scarlet fever and 8 from diphtheria. There were
fewer notifications of enteric fever, 6 compared with 17, and of dysentery, 50 compared
with 81. Measles was present in epidemic form. The number of notifications
of tuberculosis received during the year, including duplicates, was 248, compared
with 264 in 1937. At the end of the year there were 751 persons suffering from
pulmonary tuberculosis, and 152 persons suffering from non-pulmonary tuberculosis,
that is in all 903 persons (928 in 1937) living in the Borough. The number of deaths
from tuberculosis during the year was 128, compared with 119 in 1937.
There is nothing which calls for comment in the supervision of the food supplies
during the year. This work proceeded in very much its usual way. There was,
however, an increase of over eight thousand in the number of animals killed at the
abattoir in Shooters Hill. It is not generally known that nearly half of the private
slaughterhouse work in London is done in Woolwich. A very interesting commentary
on the examination of food and drugs has been prepared by the Public Analyst
and will be found in Section VIII.
It is pleasing to record the increased interest taken by mothers in the Council's
toddlers clinics. Nearly 400 more children were examined last year than in any
previous year. It is clear from what is happening that the very complete scheme
of the Council for dealing with the care and comfort of the toddler is being appreciated
in the Borough. The machinery for remedying defects discovered has been improved.
The salaried midwives scheme of the London County Council came into operation
at the beginning of the year and the Borough Council are helping as much as they
can through their ante-natal clinics and through the provision of their ancillary
services.