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while continuing to be exposed to infection. This last procedure is used only when all
attempts to secure the segregation of the child have failed or when segregation would
involve considerable delay in the protection of the child.
During 1951, 96 children received B.C.G, Vaccination,
2, CONVAIESCENCE.
During the year 123 applications for adult convalescence were received - 57 from
hospitals (mostly out-patients), 64 from general medical practitioners and 2 from the Chest
Clinic.
Of these, 5 were not approved by the medical officer as it was decided in consultation
with the General Practitioner that the patients were unsuitable for admission to a
convalescent holiday home, and 8 were withdrawn either by the patient or the recommending
doctor before consideration by the Council's medical officer.
The remaining hundred and ten applications were approved by the Council's medical
officers but of these 18 were subsequently withdrawn mainly owing to patients making private
arrangements, and 4 because it was impossible to find a home which would accept them owing
to the nature of their disabilities. The number of patients who were sent away for a period
of convalescence was therefore 88.
These patients were visited on their return and enquiries made as to whether they had
benefitted from their stay. It is pleasing to note that of the 88 patients who went away 69
stated that they had improved in health and that the improvement had been maintained,
3. HEALTH EDUCATION.
During the year the main emphasis in Health Education has been upon the subject of
safe food. Much of this work has been done through the agency of the West Ham Clean Food
Advisory Association, of which your Medical Officer of Health is the Secretary, A report
of the activities of this Association is given below. In other fields, educatior of the
public in health matters has been carried out by means of posters and leaflets and talks
given by Health Visitors to mothers attending the Maternity and Child Welfare Clinics.
Lectures have also been given by Medical Officers on a number of occasions to various organisations.
West Ham Clean Food Advisory Association. During the year the Vest Ham Clean Food
Advisory Association has done much to bring to the attention of the public the need for
clean handling and proper storage of food.
This Association was formed in the summer of 1950. It was sponsored by the County
Borough Council. The Mayor of West Ham and the Chairman of the Health Committee are exofficio
members of the Executive Committee and the local authority also nominates four
other representatives. It is, however, an independent body, and its constitution ensures
that the control of its policy shall always be in the hands of representatives of local
food traders. As the functions of the Association are purely advisory it Is right that
this should be so, since advice, if it is to be accepted, must be based upon sound knowledge
of trading practices.
Membership is open to all local food traders and their employees,and each application
is investigated before approval by the Executive Committee,
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