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38
During 1970 it was not considered appropriate to admit anyone to hospital under
Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948.
ACCIDENTAL HYPOTHERMIA.
Emergency accidental hypothermia kits are made available on a 24-hour basis for
use by medical and nursing staff. These kits consist of sleeping bags, blankets, hot water
bottles, low reading thermometers, convector-type heaters, matches and change for
electricity and gas meters. The kits are normally stored in the Hostel at 11 Rosslyn
Road, Twickenham, which is reasonably centrally placed in the Borough.
Mothers attending clinics are continually reminded by poster and pamphlet of the
dangers of hypothermia in infancy. All nursing staff are provided with low reading
thermometers.
CHIROPODY SERVICE.
Details of the chiropody scheme at present operating within the Borough are as
follows: —
Method of Provision
(a) Treatment at the surgeries of private chiropodists.
(b) Treatment at Borough Council clinics.
(c) Treatment at sessions arranged by Voluntary Societies.
(d) Domiciliary treatments.

The Chairman of the Social Services Committee is authorised to waive or reduce
charges in special circumstances.
J\[umber of Persons Treated
(a) Aged 65 and over By private chiropodists 5,019
In Council clinics 215
In Welfare Dept. establishments 448
(b) Expectant Mothers By private chiropodists 19
(c) Others By private chiropodists 480
In Council clinics 1
(d) British Red Cross Society 10
T^umber of Treatments Given
1. In Council Clinics 1,093 (1,254)
2. In Patient's Homes — by private chiropodists 7,491 (8,133)
3. In Old People's Homes 1,879 (2,018)
4. In Private Chiropodists' Surgeries 23,757 (25,471)
5. By British Red Cross Society 53 (56)
(Figures in brackets show the position in 1969).
It is interesting to note that, out of the 34,273 treatments given, 22,891 were free
of charge. The reason for this, of course, is that the majority of persons availing themselves
of the service are elderly and of low income.