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Clinic attendances were good, an increase in ante-natal clinic attendances corresponded
with the birth rate increase.
There was no major epidemic of infectious disease during 1944. In the early part of
the year measles of a mild type was fairly widespread ; no deaths from measles occurred.
The amount of work done by the Casualty Service members in manning ambulances
for civil use and in staffing the Cleansing Station increased during the year, and a scheme
was prepared to come into operation on 31st December for the Borough Council to take
complete control of the Civil Ambulance and Cleansing of Persons services.
A new Day Nursery was opened at the Municipal Sports Ground, bringing the
number of nursery places in the Borough to 184. All four nurseries were running
satisfactorily by the end of the year, and this service began to show the benefits of nursery
care for small children. Good regular meals, regular rest, careful habit training, kindergarten
teaching, and constant medical supervision resulted in some remarkable improvements
physically and mentally in individual children, and some degree of improvement in the
majority. The demand for nursery places continued to increase.
Health Propaganda was increased during the year, by means of posters, talks and
films in the clinics, individual teaching of mothers in the homes by the Health Visiting
Staff, in the nurseries by the matrons and staffs, and health talks to members of Youth
Organisations.
The Isolation Hospital continued to work efficiently, and since there was no epidemic
of scarlet fever or diphtheria it was possible to help local practitioners and the Services by
taking individual cases of milder infections.
A new ultra-violet light apparatus for the Branch Centre was obtained in 1944,
and came into use in April. Lack of space prevents the increase in the numbers of ultraviolet
light sessions to more than two a week at each end of the Borough, and the provision
of a Sunlight Centre or Ultra-Violet Rooms in future new clinics might well be considered
in view of the useful results obtained by this treatment.
The delegation of powers to the Southall Borough Council under the Rats and Mice
(Destruction) Act added to the duties of the Sanitary Inspectors. A rat catcher was
appointed, and the work of surveying infestation in the Borough and planning treatment
was commenced in the early part of the year. An increase in the work on Food Inspection
and on house inspections for overcrowding is noteworthy.
I should like to take this opportunity of thanking all members of the Health
Department Staff for the co-operation and loyal support they have given me.
I am, your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
MARGARET A. GLASS,
Manor House, Southall. Medical Officer of Health.
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