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38
Treatment of Venereal Diseases
The increase in the prevalence of venereal diseases during the first
world war led to the Government deciding that arrangements should be
made for the diagnosis of these diseases and the treatment of those
suffering, either at clinics or hospitals, or by general medical practitioners.
The responsibility for making arrangements was placed on the Councils
of Counties and County Boroughs. In and around London, instead of
the various authorities making their own arrangements, the London and
Home Counties Scheme was agreed to. More emphasis on the preventive
side was given in the nineteen-thirties by the appointment of
almoners or welfare officers at the treatment centres.
The diseases have never been generally notifiable. Although a
number of authorities have sought permission to make them notifiable
in their district, approval has never been given, the main objection being
the fear that compulsory notification would tend to drive sufferers to
obtaining " quack " treatment. During the war years a modified form
of notification was introduced by regulation 33B with the object of
compelling anybody who had infected more than one person to undergo
treatment. This regulation was withdrawn after the war.
By the National Health Service Act these centres for the treatment
of those suffering from venereal diseases passed out of the hands of local
authorities into those of Regional Hospital Boards. Sufferers can be
treated at certain London hospitals and at the Central Middlesex
Hospital, Acton Lane, Willesden; Hillingdon Hospital, Royal Lane,
Hillingdon; and West Middlesex Hospital, Twickenham Road, Isleworth.
The most convenient of the London Hospitals at which treatment is
provided are St. Mary's Hospital, Cambridge Place, Paddington; and
University College Hospital, Gower Street.
PROVISION FOR SPECIAL CLASSES OF PERSONS
The Deprived Child
Under the Children's Acts authorities appointed Infant Protection
Visitors to deal especially with infants in the care of baby farmers. In
time in most areas these duties were taken over by the health visitors
who were concerned with all the children in their areas. A few years
ago a child who had been boarded by a local authority in the area of
another died from ill treatment he had suffered at the hands of those
to whom he had been entrusted. The anxiety felt by many about the
treatment of children in public care led to the setting up of a commission,
and in time to the passing of the Children's Act, 1948. Under this every
local authority (major authority) was to establish a Children's Committee
and appoint a Children's Officer. Local authorities exercised their
functions under the general guidance of the Secretary of State. Each
major authority then set up an entirely new service for dealing with
certain classes of child. One duty of the authority is to accept into
care the child under seventeen who has neither parent nor guardian, or
has been and remains abandoned by his parent or guardian, or is lost;
whose parent or guardian is for the time being, or permanently, prevented
by reason of mental or bodily disease, or infirmity, or other incapacity,