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disease notified in the year as compared with 1941, and this increase
was largely due to the heavier incidence of scarlet fever which was,
however, of a mild nature and no death resulted.
Efforts to secure the immunisation of children against diphtheria
were greatly intensified during the year and 4,581 children
commenced immunisation treatment during the year either at the
Council's three immunisation clinics or through the scheme under
which immunisation is available through private practitioners
without cost to the parents.
More cases of tuberculosis were notified during the year than
in any year since 1937 though the deaths from this disease were
fewer than in any previous year. At the time of the preparation
of this Report attention is being given by the Government to the
steps which are necessary to combat the increased incidence of
tuberculosis which always accompanies war-time conditions. The
two tuberculosis dispensaries continue to afford the fullest facilities
for the early diagnosis of tuberculosis and no difficulty is being
experienced in securing the admission of patients to residential
institutions for treatment under the County Council's Tubercilosis
Scheme.
The maternity and child welfare centres were in full use
throughout the year, and the attendances of expectant mothers at
ante-natal clinics not only show a considerable increase as compared
with the previous year but are very much higher than they were in
pre-war years. Attendances of young children at the infant
welfare centres were almost double the 1941 total and compare very
favourably with attendances in pre-war years having regard to the
number of young children who are still evacuated to safer areas.
Attendances at the actinotherapy clinics also show an increase both
on the previous year's figures and pre-war figures. The treatment
received by children in the light clinics has been very valuable in
maintaining their health under the present trying circumstances.
Particulars are given on page 15 of the Report of the war-time
day nursery provision for the Borough. It will be seen that three
nurseries had been opened by the Borough Council and one Rest
Centre nursery by the London County Council up to the end of 1942
but the programme provides for eight nurseries to be opened by the
Borough Council and three Rest Centre nurseries by the County
Council which will eventually provide accommodation for 470
children. Though these nurseries have primarily been provided for
the purpose of enabling mothers to take up full-time work in
industry, they provide conditions wihich must be of very great benefit