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5
Borough Council to increase considerably the facilities provided for
the treatment of persons at the Cleansing Station. I have commented
at some length upon the problem in this Report. In dealing
with this problem I have received very considerable help from the
part-time Assistant Medical Officers, from one of the Council's
Health Visitors and from two nursing auxiliaries from a First-Aid
Post who have given very material help in bathing children during
their off-duty periods.
Generally speaking, it can be said that there has been no serious
deterioration in the health of the population despite food rationing,
"black-out" conditions and other circumstances connected with the
war.
The special duties in connection with Civil Defence placed upon
the Public Health Department are as follows:—
Administration of First Aid Posts, including training of
personnel and issue and care of equipment.
Administration of Public Gas Cleansing Centres, including
issue and care of equipment.
Administration of Light Rescue Party Service, including
training of personnel, supervision of operations at incidents,
and issue and care of equipment.
Administration of medical services at Emergency Rest
Centres for persons rendered homeless by enemy action.
Administration of medical services at public air-raid
shelters and equipping and administration of medical aid posts
in the principal shelters.
Provision and administration of emergency mortuary and
burial arrangements, including provision of mortuary vehicles.
Training in first-aid to the injured and treatment of gascontaminated
persons for air-raid wardens, factory personnel,
members of the Women's Voluntary Services for Civil Defence,
etc.
Decontamination of gas-contaminated food and sanitary
inspection of food supplies under war-time conditions.
Local arrangements for evacuation of expectant mothers,
children and aged and infirm persons.
Arrangements for medical inspection and local arrangements
for evacuation of children suffering from effects of
air-raids.