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advocated on other grounds, and the better of these provisions should
not be allowed to lapse at the end of the war. Today's arrangements
for ensuring that rising prices of essential food stuffs do not put these
beyond the reach of the less affluent, the issue of milk free or at 2d. a pint,
the distribution of vitamins—all measures to ensure an adequate minimal
dietary for all, are instances of what should continue. Centralisation of
slaughter-houses, though selected in the future on considerations of
hygiene rather than of transport, with the consequent abolition of the
many small inconveniently sited slaughter-houses, should be insisted
upon. The retention of the laboratory services, though based more on
the groupings of epidemiologically similar areas rather than the hospital
sectors, with the close association of the medical head of the laboratory
with the general medical practitioner and public health staff is most
desirable. For the day nurseries—no longer war nurseries, and, .presumably
then no longer a matter of such interest to the Ministry of
Labour or even perhaps to the Ministry of Health—there will continue to
be a demand, at least for a time, though probably not on the present
scale. These are matters though for national decision. There are other
problems which, at the end of hostilities when presumably there will not
be the same hold on people, will face local authorities. Today the public
health ambulances are manned by civil defence personnel; the treatment
of scabies at the First-Aid Posts—and 2,000 odd patients required treatment
last year—is undertaken also by the civil defence personnel; while
many of the staff of the war nurseries are there only because, if not there,
they would be directed elsewhere. Possibly circumstances will be such
that for long those at present undertaking these duties will be willing to
continue, though on a different basis ; if not, it is to be hoped that
authorities will be enabled to obtain the necessary personnel.
The Ministry of Health have requested again that for reasons of
national security the population figures should not be included in these
annual reports.
I have the honour to be,
Mrs. Roberts and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
CARYL THOMAS,
Medical Officer of Health.
Council Offices,
Harrow-on-the-Hill.
June 2nd, 1944.