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chiropody was provided after a great deal of trouble, together
with laundry facilities. Domestic help continued, and at last the
patient agreed to enter hospital in December.
Case 7 (G).—Male, aged 79 years. This case first came to
the attention of the Health Department in 1950 because the son,
aged 49 years was both mentally sub-normal and epileptic. The
wife and mother had recently died, and the premises generally
were reported to be in a dirty condition, but this was not con'
firmed on inspection. Supervision continued and by 1952 the
Domestic Help had refused to continue. In June, 1954 the Chief
Sanitary Inspector suggested the need for compulsory removal.
This was confirmed on visiting, but in view of certain local circumstances,
it was not considered advisable to apply to the Court
until 1955.
Case 8 (M).—Female, aged 88 years. Attention was called
to this case by the family doctor in September when the doctor
was called by the Home Nurse because of the patient falling
about and would not let the nurse wash her. The patient was
reported to be filthy and unmanageable, and the house was dirty.
The patient lived with a brother, aged 84 years, who still went
out to work. She refused admission to hospital, but after a visit
by the District Sanitary Inspector and the Medical Officer of
Health, the patient agreed to enter hospital voluntarily where
she died soon after admission.
The summaries given above are taken from the appropriate
files, but it is hard to convey a measure of the anxiety, time and
trouble involved in dealing with these cases by all concerned, i.e.,
the medical, nursing and sanitary staff of the Health Department,
the hospital and welfare authorities and the Old People's Welfare
Committee. Not the least distressing is the decision to apply for a
Compulsory Removal Order, and so long as these persons are not
held to be a danger or nuisance to themselves and other people, it
is felt an Order should not be sought. Obviously, there is a considerable
risk in postponing a decision indefinitely. Authority for
application to the Court was obtained in two cases, but the applications
were not in fact exercised and both patients entered hospitals
voluntarily.