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The problem of nutrition has continued to receive keen attention locally and Dr. Meyer-Wedell's
work on the blood-picture in pregnant women is now approaching the stage when a report will be
possible. A share in the nutrition and dietary survey organised by Sir John Boyd Orr has also been
secured and should furnish valuable comparative information.
The vital statistics of the Borough exhibit no significant changes. Epidemiological events of
interest were the expected epidemic of measles towards the end of the year, and the epidemics of
dysentery and catarrhal jaundice which are described in Section VI of the report. One fatal case of
Typhoid Fever, contracted in Croydon, by a resident of that district, also occurred in the Borough.
Babies' Hospital Although the transfer of the Babies' Hospital to the Borough Council was
not completed until April 1st, 1938, this is the appropriate place to record it.
The war work undertaken in Fulham by Mrs. Horace Hutchinson provided the stimulus for
her and a group of friends headed by her husband, Mrs. Bessemer Wright and the late Dr. Jackson,
then Medical Officer of Health, to found this hospital in 1915. The hospital has not lacked many
generous friends, but it was in a very real sense the creation of Mrs. Hutchinson, and the intimation
of her inevitable retirement from the post of Honorary Treasurer led me, as Chairman of the Committee
of the Hospital, to press the convictions which have led to its official adoption by the Council.
From 1913-1917, the infant mortality rate in Fulham averaged about 110. It is now about 60.
It is no exaggeration to state that the nursing of sick babies in the twenty-one beds of the hospital
has made a significant contribution to this fall. I have not the slightest idea of, or interest in, the
capital value of this generous gift, in which many have participated, but as Medical Officer of Health
I feel a lively satisfaction that the continuance of the work of the hospital is assured. That security
will in the long run prove the most acceptable thanks to those who for twenty-three years undertook
such valuable work.
Maternity Home and Clinic.—I have elsewhere described the opening of the new maternity home
and clinic at Parson's Green as marking a milestone on the local road of maternity and child welfare
progress. A special handbook giving a full description of the building was issued on the occasion
of the opening and a brief description is given in Section II of this report. This is the first ad hoc
building for maternity and child welfare work erected by the Council and its success is evidenced not
only by the slightly envious congratulations of many professional visitors, but, much more so, by
the unexpectedly heavy use by the public both of the clinics and the maternity beds.
Whilst improvements are easily possible in the older child welfare centres, the Council are
aware that the most urgent need for the maternity and child welfare work of the borough is a centre
to serve the Baron's Court and Lillie Wards. When it is possible to meet this need, the geographical
distribution of the four centres which will then exist will be admirable.
Housing.—The present year witnessed a further decisive step in the Council's plans to deal
with the Avenues re-development area. A Ministry of Health Inquiry into three clearance areas
in this area, containing 169 houses and housing 392 families was held in March. The Minister confirmed
the Orders relating to all the houses except two. Appeals to the High Court against one Order
were made by two owners of a substantial number of the houses. In one case, the appeal was withdrawn
before the hearing and, in the other, dismissed by the judge.
Welfare Adviser (Housing).—An interesting whole-time appointment grew out of the excellent
work undertaken by the Council's Woman Sanitary Inspector amongst the tenants re-housed at
Keir Hardie and Carnwath Houses. The transition to a Council flat would in some cases have resulted
in a failure to make adequate use, or to take adequate care, of the new facilities but for Miss Sexton's
firm and tactful guidance. The need for the extension of this work to all the Council's estates was
appreciated by the Council and led to the appointment described in Section IV.
Vaccination.—The policy of compulsory vaccination in infancy has recently received critical
scrutiny from many medical officers of wide experience. Provided that the underlying biological
truths are not lost sight of, periodic assessment of the best method of their routine application, in an
environment which may have changed, is obviously desirable.