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9
Mr. Newlywed is supposed to be at home pacing the floor in anxious
expectancy, but may well be in the 'pub' or the cinema,,
There is thus a hiatus in the full realization of the true creative
nature of the birth, and this lull often deadens in the parents the feeling
of wanting and striving, and acts as a drag on the drive to build up a
secure family.
Much is done in hospital to mitigate this unnatural state, and mother,
father and babe are brought together as often and as happily as possible.
But the Impact of the birth on the family is almost lost, like a
squib in the next street, instead of a cracker on the hearth.
There is no question that the maternity hospital must continue to
carry out an important function in childbirth to safeguard mothers from the
medical and obstetric hazards which can arise, but generally, good antenatal
care can ensure safe delivery in the home, and when the time comes and
living conditions are more in keeping with the dignity of the family the
tradition of having the baby at home will be no more and we will have struck
away another support to the tottering edifice of family life.
Attention must also be focussed on a small but significant rise in the
infantile mortality rate over last year's record low figures. Of the 37
infants who died in the first year of life 28 succumbed in the first month,
and of these neo-natal deaths 12 were directly attributable to prematurity,,
Our social services have done much to close the gap in the standards of
life between different classes, but it may well be that the figures for
infant mortality, especially the neo-natal death rate, could indicate the
degree of true social advance in any cultured community. So that we have
little cause for complacency in East Ham, and much has to be done in health
education and community effort to raise our standard of family life and
ensure a permanent decline in the wastage of infant life.
In ray last report I referred to the possibility of establishing graded
accommodation for certain old people who drag out a miserable existence in
their homes,, In squalor, in loneliness, in semi-starvation, a number of
these aged persons pray daily for death to release them from their earthbound
sufferings.
We do what is possible with our ancillary social services, but are
well aware that our efforts fall far short in supplying many of these old
folks1 daily needs in feeding, domestic service, physical help and companionship.
In my opinion the problem in many cases cannot be solved in the homes,
for many of their living quarters are ill suited even to vigorous young
people and cannot properly be adapted to the needs of senile and decrepit
~ persons.
I do not consider the Council should lightly turn aside the possibility
of the utilization of some part of the disbanded Aldersbrook Children's
Homes for the new purpose of graded accommodation for old persons. Such
provision will surely represent the greatest single advance in social service
it is possible to make, for the care of old people is a challenge to
community life equalled only by cancer and heart disease.
Much has been written of atmospheric pollution, and East Ham suffered
most grievously in the 'smog' at the close of the year. Our borough is
sandwiched between the great industrial area of West Ham, and the Beckton
Gas Works, Woolwich, and Thames estuary industrial undertakings. Thus,
whichever way the prevailing winds blow we are likely to experience
heavy concentrations of smoke and noxious substances in the air which our
denizens must breathe.