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5
Housing.
In the matter of better housing, considerable progress has been mad©
during the year. Seven Clearance Areas, involving 147 houses and the
displacement of 711 persons, were represented for demolition and subsequently
confirmed by the Minister of Health. The number of families
rehoused during the year at the Weir Hall Estate was 54.
In connection with the overcrowding provisions of the Housing Act,
1936, a review was made during the year of the 1,322 families previously
reported as overcrowded, together with 1,483 families previously found
to be just outside the overcrowding standard. It was found that as many
as 743 of the original 1,322 overcrowded families, or more than 50 percent.
had ceased to be overcrowded. The number of new overcrowded
families recorded was 86.
Infectious Diseases.
The number of cases of Scarlet Fever notified was 306, the lowest
for 20 years: one death occurred from this disease. The number of
Diphtheria cases was 236, compared with 227 in the previous year, and
10 deaths occurred, compared with 9 in 1936. No deaths from Measles
occurred during the year.
Maternity and Child Welfare.
The number of deaths in infants under one year of age was 126, and
the Infantile Death Rate 63.9, which compares unfavourably with that of
51.8 in 1936. During the year, 1,349 infants under one year attended
the Welfare Centres, the total attendances being 16,208 for this age
period, with a total of 29,126 of all children under 5.
The year was notable for the inauguration of the Municipal Midwifery
Service under the provisions of the Midwives Act, 1936.
School Medical Service.
The comprehensive facilities for the medical inspection and treatment
of school children, and the special schools established for the