View report page

In connection with Maternity and Child Welfare excellent
work has been carried out, but it is an urgent necessity that beds
should be provided for maternity cases, and I trust that if the
suggested purchase of the Cottage Hospital should not mature,
other accommodation will be provided.
There has been delay in the completion of " Harts " as a
Sanatorium, hut I hope this year will bring better results, and we
shall then be able to deal more efficiently with Tuberculosis.
We were seriously threatened with an epidemic of Small-pox,
introduced from abroad, but owing to energetic action on the part
of the Department the cases were limited to the three families
directly infected.
I regret the Council did not proceed with the proposed Cleansing
and Disinfecting Station for dealing with verminous children
and sufferers from Scabies, as this would have been a great asset
to the Borough, and loss of attendance at school and much suffering
would have been obviated. It was stated that it was degrading
to the parents, but if it is not considered degrading to the
parents in the West End of London, it surely coidd not be considered
to be such in this district. In a report to the Education
Committee in September, 1911, I pointed out the necessity of
providing a suitable, Cleansing Station for dealing with such cases.
Further, the present method of disinfection of clothes of persons
who have been suffering from Infectious Diseases, Tuberculosis,
etc., is unsatisfactory.
1 wish to thank the Chairman and Members of the Committee
for their sympathy and support in the past, and to point out that
I fully appreciate that with the present high rates strict economy
must be practised even in the Public Hecdth Department, but not
to the detriment of the health of the Borough.
1 also beg to thank all the members of my Staff for their
continued loyal support.
I am, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
W. BENTON,
Medical Officer of Health.
Town Hall, East Ham, E. 6.
April, 1921.