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a2cbd2e7-2106-48ad-b5f1-904d4e4cf3e7 | During the year negotiations initiated by the Essex County Council were completed for the transference of the Tuberculosis Dispensary from 37 Linton Road to the Barking Hospital, where a part of Lister Ward will be taken over for this purpose. Mass Radiography. At the end of the year a survey was conducted in Barking by the Mass Radiography Unit of the Essex County Council and 7,355 persons were examined. Of this number no less than 6,875 were found to have normal films, which means there were 480 cases not in all respects normal. Of this 480, 263 were suffering from tubercle of the chest of some kind or another, but again of this number 247 cases were inactive, which means that some 16 cases were found to have active lesions. |
34b7b42b-1465-467c-bc18-9778c3fb7b9f | In a survey of this nature it is difficult to deduce quite clearly the position of the people of Barking as such, because many firms were encouraged, quite properly, to send up to the Unit employees who did not live in Barking. Further, in the cases of two large firms, each employing a considerable number of people of whom only a proportion live in Barking, surveys were actually carried out in the works and the results of such surveys are not included in the figures quoted above. It is, however, possible to come to some general conclusions, the most important of which perhaps is that it would appear the position in Barking is about average and that whilst one cannot regard the situation as other than serious, there is no need for undue anxiety in Barking compared with other places. VENEREAL DISEASES. The Essex County Council is responsible for this service. Treatment facilities are provided at General Hospitals, including the County Hospital at Oldchurch and the London Hospital (Turner Street Clinic). |
441ae30a-26b4-41b0-bd05-5934dc6b4f25 | Page 32 THE HEALTH OF BARKING SECTION D ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. (A) SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS. The climatic conditions of the area will be remembered by residents for the long spell of severe and cold weather which continued from 4th December, 1946, until the end of March, 1947. During this period frost persisted, snow fell on no less than 20 days. Fortunately the summer was sunny and the rainfall over the rest of the year totalled 15.92 inches, compared with 24.5 inches for the previous year. Notwithstanding the heavy snowfalls, the amount of flooding when the warmer weather came was relatively slight, affecting some houses in the vicinity of the Barking Park Pool and the arm of the Loxford Water. WATER SUPPLY. The whole of the water supplied to domestic dwellings is drawn from the main supply of the South Essex Waterworks. |
4fd4ee5c-5b61-493e-a8d1-9a3a2099fb59 | All the samples submitted, monthly for bacteriological examination and quarterly for chemical examination, have been found to be pure and wholesome. The following is an extract of the information forwarded to the Ministry of Health in relation to the bore holes of industrial supplies drawn from wells :— "Excluding the works of the Metropolitan Water Board at London Road, there are eight wells in use situated at the industrial premises listed below, with a total pumping capacity of 837,000 gallons per day. In addition, there are five wells, also situated at industrial premises, which have been sealed satisfactorily and are now out of use. A well at the factory premises of Ibbetson and Co., River Road, is temporarily sealed only and can produce 480,000 gallons per day. Page 33 THE HEALTH OF BARKING Bacteriological and chemical examinations of the well supplies in use have been made and in all cases the supplies have been found to be of satisfactory organic quality and bacteriological purity and to be soft in character. |
063e7912-4887-4616-87bf-8e0252cb1cce | Situation of Wells Type Estimated yield in gallons per day W. Warne & Co., Ltd., Abbey Road: (No. 1) Deep 216,000 (No. 2) Deep 84,000 Sherwood Paints Ltd., Jenkins Lane: (No. 1) Deep 144,000 (No. 2) Deep 85,000 Acme Flooring & Paving Co. Ltd., River Road: (No. 1) Deep 40,000 Chemical Supply Ltd., Abbey Road: (No. 1) Deep 48,000 (No. 2) Deep 100,000 Cape Asbestos Co., Ltd., Harts Lane: (No. 1) Deep 120,000" DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE. Apart from the premises mentioned below, the whole of the district is drained to the Northern Outfall Works of the London County Council. The drainage of surface water is separated from that of sewage. |
792f1d18-08f9-4a6f-98eb-01e8c981bab8 | The disposal is controlled by the Ilford and Barking Joint Sewerage Committee who have a pumping station within the Borough. The attention of the Highways and Building Plans Committee of the Council was drawn to the establishment along the frontage of Ripple Road at Rippleside of a number of small one-man businesses in which sanitary accommodation consisted of a pail closet or was non-existent. The present decision of the Council provides for all these premises to be supplied with a chemical closet for a period of two years, i.e. until the future planning of this particular portion of the district has been settled. The total number of premises unconnected with the sewer is now 20. RIVERS AND STREAMS. On page 40 of my Annual Report for 1946, I referred to the conditions in the district. At the end of 1947, the position remains the same. |
5a7b91b4-9ee1-4d10-bad9-fe9ec29fbe3c | Negotiations proceeded throughout the year with the chemical manufactures whose premises abut Victoria Road and which were referred to in my previous Page 34 THE HEALTH OF BARKING Report. Owing to the difficulties met with in the supply of steel and building materials the offending chemical process was still operating at the end of the year. In addition, delay was increased by the proposals of the River Roding Catchment Board for major reconstruction of the Loxford Arm. The relation of the floor levels of the houses in Victoria Road to the height of the sub-soil water is such that relief for the occupiers can only be provided by filling in the sub-floor spaces and raising the general level of the back land within the curtilage of the premises. Further progress in this direction I believe will be achieved in the near future. PUBLIC CLEANSING. During the year 8,580 loads of refuse were collected with an average weight of 2.25 tons per load. |
7c3a8fd2-8397-4580-80ed-73b1b8e7ffdf | In my Annual Report for 1946, I dealt at some length with the question of cleansing dustbins. I regard the removal of offensive matter from the precincts of an occupied dwelling as a primary requisite of all public health work. It is also important that the offensive material should be disposed of finally by a sanitary operation. The present arrangement in Barking is for the whole of the domestic refuse to be discharged on low lying land which is being reclaimed for the construction of playing fields. In this work the Council is to be commended because if carried out in a sanitary manner, it is work of practical value. Whilst it is true that the most important aspect of public cleansing relates to the removal of offensive matter from the precincts of houses, much useful work is carried out by the cleansing of streets by the removal of trade waste from shops, canteens and factories. There is need for improvement in Barking in the present method of dealing with what is generically described as ' trade refuse.' |
b5e20fd5-0ca9-484d-85de-49153b3520f1 | The fact that this is a service for which the user must pay a fee acts as a deterrent and consequently is less efficient in operation. As your Medical Officer, I advocate the same service for the removal of trade waste, consisting of organic matter, as I do for domestic refuse. If the present system of removal prevents shop-keepers and other traders using the service freely then such changes as are necessary in the operation of the service should be made. The streets of the town are kept in a noticeable clean condition but in a town like Barking where there are so few features worthy of attention by the passer-by, much could be achieved in dispelling gloom by the painting of street furniture, such as kiosks, litter bins, lighting columns, etc. in fresh and bright colours. I have noted too with pleasure in some of our adjoining boroughs tasteful gardens laid out at road junctions with ornamental seats upon which some of the older residents sit and meditate. |
3284735d-a4d5-4647-a975-6454029efd2b | Anything which tends to beautify and add colour to the ordinary life makes its contribution to the public health. Secondary Streets. Shortly before the war a programme was drawn up which scheduled for early paving and drainage a number of the access passages at the rear of terraced houses, built about 50 years ago and mostly in Gascoigne Ward. Page 35 THE HEALTH OF BARKING Unfortunately this work has not been commenced. I regard the paving, drainage and lighting of these streets as a matter likely to contribute to the general well-being of the town and commend it to the early attention of the Council. Wherever a passage is used in common by a number of occupiers sanitary conditions can only be achieved when such passage is controlled by the Council. REFUSE DISPOSAL. Refuse Tips—Privately Controlled. The fact that there are extensive areas of low lying land is an invitation to private contractors to take such land for the purpose of tipping. |
5f5b54c7-7203-4023-a980-2dd5e1f0eb00 | This work creates serious nuisance unless it is well planned and controlled. Where the land is being reclaimed by the owner it is usual for greater interest to be taken in the type of filling and the general level of the filling material but where the land is rented by the contractor, such contractor has little regard for the ultimate condition and is opposed to any control work. In such circumstances, tips so constructed require the constant care and attention of your sanitary inspectors. There is an area, at present being developed, on the north bank of the River Roding and another area north of the Tilbury Railway at Rippleside. Both sites are being filled with material brought into the district and the land is therefore subject to the operation of the Essex County Council Act, 1933. It is necessary that such land should be filled and the level raised in order to make it more suitable for use but this will only be secured by constant supervision. ERADICATION OF BED BUGS. |
c0430abc-e14a-41e1-8e64-ea9dae0a0223 | In another part of my Report I referred to the general housing position in the district. Examination of this report will show that the general sanitary conditions existing are such that it should not be difficult for the average householder to keep his house free from vermin. Such difficulties that do exist, however, have been aggravated by the increased density of persons living in each house and the problems associated with dual occupation. Whilst there has been an increase in the number of cases reported, such increase has not been significant and the facilities available, free to householders, have been adequate for the demand. The Housing Manager reports that in connection with Barking Corporation houses the number of premises found infested and treated was 40. The method of treatment provides for the use of insecticide containing DDT. In the present acute house shortage there is serious difficulty in using hydrocyanic gas. ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION. |
7b4c2030-7f31-484c-966a-801289bba8da | At the end of 1947, the proposed extension of the generating station of the County of London Electric Supply Company, Creekmouth, did not proceed sufficiently for new furnaces to be in operation. In consequence the expected improvement in the operation of the existing furnaces was not achieved. Page 36 THE HEALTH OF BARKING A summary of the boiler installations in the district and the likely causes of atmospheric pollution are set out below:— Nature of Industry, etc. No. of Chimneys. Public Utility Undertakings:— Electricity 17 Gas Water Chemical Industries 26 Wood Processing Factories 8 Metallurgical Furnaces 4 General Manufacturing 10 Central Heating (Schools and Hospitals) 17 Commercial Buildings 3 Total 85 You did agree during the year to the setting up of three observation stations for the measurement of atmospheric pollution. These stations are to be sited at Barking Park, Greatfields Park and Parsloes Park. |
84756eb1-11e8-4b72-8c33-e94d3f3e9874 | Arrangements have been made for the supply of the necessary apparatus and for the chemical examination of the deposits. When the results of such examinations are known more authoritative statements can be made as to the condition of Barking air. Barking has long been known as a town where offensive trades of varied character have been established but owing to the absence of town planning control little could be effected to prevent any increase. In addition to the scheduled offensive trades mentioned in the Public Health Act, 1936, we have a number of factory premises where chemical processes registerable under the Alkali Works Act are carried out and a small number of other premises controlled by special byelaws. With industries of this type it is inevitable that there must be at one time or another complaints of offensive emissions and the discharge of grit and gritty particles from chimneys. This has been true of the year 1947 and the Department has spent a significant number of man-hours in making observations and visits to offending processes. |
4444e328-4da4-4f9a-a7d3-ef7add08ba93 | In regard to a factory area in a built up part of the district there are no less than nine chimneys in continuous use for steam generation. These chimneys can emit black smoke for an aggregate period of 18 minutes in every 30 without contravening Page 37 S THE HEALTH OF BARKING the byelaw. Such an emission has demoralising effects on the residents in the area and is a constant source of irritation. Owing to the development of the river frontage for timber storage and processing, the use of wood waste as a fuel for steam generation is a common practice. Unless the furnaces are specially designed and the operatives skilled, the burning of this waste can cause serious nuisance. Complaints were received in respect of a furnace consuming wood waste and, although the Ministry of Fuel and Power were called in, the operation continued to offend. |
98b458fc-a056-487c-af01-f4f3d3f1a50e | There is a conflict of opinion between the Management of the firm in question and the Ministry of Fuel and Power, in that the Ministry charge the Management with neglect of furnace operation and the Management contend that the supply of graded fuel is necessary for furnace improvement. In such case the solution appears to require a Court of Summary Jurisdiction to arbitrate. It is necessary, however, to realise that to remedy any smoke nuisance a factory occupier is faced with many practical difficulties outside his control. It is fitting, therefore, that a local authority should assist wherever possible when the offender is willing to be helped—this I know is your wish. RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION ACT, 1919, AND INFESTATION ORDER, 1943. The disinfestation of sewers throughout the known infested area of the Borough was carried out in the months of June and December. The treatments were in progress over a period of six days and the results showed cause for satisfaction. |
8a9ad81d-dbda-4493-b30a-d52a3e4953a5 | In connection with the general surface infestation, you appointed two operatives and two investigators for a period of nine months for the purpose of carrying out a survey and disinfestation of the scheduled area, including private dwellings, factories, business premises, refuse tips and open spaces. The Borough was divided into seven areas with sub-sections and the whole of the Borough was systematically surveyed by the investigators who preceded the operatives and advised them of their findings. The following is a summary ot the investigations and treatments which took place during the period 1st January to the 30th September:— Suspected Premises Surveyed 6,841 Premises Infested 1,115 Premises Treated 1,115 Bodies Found 446 Estimated Kill 4,048 I must express my appreciation of the cordial co-operation of the managements of the many factories and business premises in the town, which added considerably Page 38 THE HEALTH OF BARKING to the success of the operation. |
a8bc15f0-7eba-41f2-a405-df880fbc3d2e | It was found that the Rodent Service scheme which the Council inaugurated for the assistance of occupiers of industrial and commercial premises was welcomed. The charge made by the Corporation for this Service was at the rate of 3s. 3d. per man-hour. During the year the Infestation Control Division of the Ministry of Food was transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. SWIMMING BATHS AND POOLS. The facilities in the district for swimming are inadequate and the Council looks forward to the early consideration of the model bathing station for which plans were completed before the outbreak of war. Open Air Pool. The Report of the Baths Superintendent for the Season 1947 in relation to the swimming pool at Longbridge Road shows that over 109,000 bathers attended—this represents an increase of 44,000 over the previous year's total. In addition to these bathers, no less than 17,000 people were present as spectators and therefore benefited by exposure to the sunshine. |
814d5cd3-4a18-4edc-92a3-e8fd7e0fa8b3 | The peak day was the 1st June when 4,846 bathers were recorded. The capacity of the bath is 500,000 gallons and the total water used during the season was 4,547,600 gallons. Thirteen examinations were made of the water in the bath and reported upon by the public analyst as being satisfactory. In connection with school classes, 10,104 children attended and of these 726 qualified for swimming certificates during the year. It is indicative of the times in which we live that although the cafe facilities are not those of the most modern establishment, no less than 21,000 meals were served. Owing to the infantile paralysis outbreak, it was considered desirable to cancel competitive events and accordingly all school galas ceased. Children were, however, allowed to continue their swimming lessons with the results mentioned. Swimming Bath, South-East Essex County Technical College. This bath continued in use throughout the year and a constant check is made by sampling. |
a732e94d-0eeb-4a73-97ef-f4c430838b22 | The results showed that at no time was the water unfit for bathing. East Street Swimming Bath. The covered swimming bath was open during the summer months and during this period was attended by 52,334 bathers. The operation of this bath is associated with the slipper baths which were used by 50,000 persons. This bathing establishment was constructed in 1898 and in its general scope is inadequate for present needs or varied enough in the facilities it offers to meet the present day practice. I cannot leave the use of swimming baths without referring to the need for school children to be practised in the duty of using the lavatories before entering Page 39 THE HEALTH OF BARKING the bath. Some of the difficulties met with during the year in keeping the water in a satisfactory condition have arisen from the neglect of this hygienic practice. FACTORIES ACT, 1937. In Appendix D will be found statistics in relation to the administration of this Act. |
5873c3bc-ed70-4d48-bf5d-6bc27fdb8714 | SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE AREA. During the year every endeavour has been made to establish the sanitary inspection of the area at the pre-war level of efficiency. Good progress was made in this direction but we were still unable to carry out the schedule drawn up. This was in part due to the number of sanitary inspectors being two below establishment. In addition, there continued throughout the year a shortage of building labour and materials, preventing the repair work which had become so necessary after the war years with the consequent decay arising from excessive room occupation. The need for permits to carry out this or that item of work absorbed time and energy often resulting in irritation and frustration. Where repairs were achieved the work was done always after a battle of opposing forces. |
7b4fe9ab-98bb-45cd-871e-c47500007a94 | Two years after the end of the war housewives reasonably expected the worst discomforts of housing accommodation to have been removed, and it is easy to understand the irritation felt when the ordinary minor repairs and redecorations which so appreciably affect the life of the housewife could not be carried out. Such defects as exist have been emphasised because so often the occupier of the house must again suffer the occupation by workmen to make good, in some instances for a second or third time, work which had been inadequately attempted under that general description of war damage repairs.' In blitzed areas, such as Barking, the twin discomforts of overcrowding and war damage repairs have made a heavy drain upon the nervous and physical strength of the women of the household. |
888a5d33-ff78-4976-aea5-7fac5dbe1051 | In an effort to make the lives of the Barking tenants more cheerful wherever substantial repairs and redecorations could be effected everything was done towards this end Not only was this process in operation in the homes but also in all public buildingspicture-dromes, public houses, clubs, shops and canteens. At the end of the year an improvement was noticeable but at the present rate of progress it is expected that at least another two years will elapse before conditions become normal. Statistics in relation to the work of the Sanitary Inspectors are given in Appendix D. (B) HOUSING. STATISTICS. Your Chief Sanitary Inspector, who is Rehousing Officer for the Borough has supplied the statistics, to be found in Appendix E, which show the detailed position in the Borough at the end of the year. Page 40 THE HEALTH OF BARKING An interior view of a post-war house. POST-WAR HOUSING. |
9a9c5d78-01c0-4c58-a633-3f08b1b49c77 | The statistics relating to new building tell you the number of new dwellings which have been provided during the year, namely 490. The fact that the work of rehousing is carried out in the Public Health Department enables me to be better informed of the position than if the work Page 41 THE HEALTH OF BARKING Post-war houses—Mayesbrook Estate. was discharged elsewhere. The allocation of accommodation is decided, as is well known, on the basis of a points scheme which gives due regard to the public health aspects of the housing problem and it is proper, therefore, that the operation of such a scheme should be by public health officers. Throughout the year I have been visited by families in desperate need and have been consulted as to the award of special points for medical reasons. |
546d64d9-0401-4e43-839d-cadb3d1dc222 | I know it is necessary to have regard to all aspects of the housing problem and in particular to the claims of those families who have been long in residence in the district; I cannot, however, as your medical officer overlook the fact that the present requirements in respect of residence qualification does in a number of cases operate harshly. It will be noted that whilst the number of new units of accommodation available have been small compared with the number required, headway was made in the reduction of overcrowding by using each new unit of accommodation to serve the needs of three families by operating an extensive system of transfers. This exchange of accommodation between large, small and medium sized families was not only effected amongst Council tenants but, with the co-operation of private owners, amongst tenants of privately owned dwellings also. Page 42 THE HEALTH OF BARKING CLEARANCE AREAS AND REHOUSING. |
c236df4a-42e7-49a4-9f2b-0fb57059bd52 | The period 1926 to 1938 saw the commencement and completion of schemes providing for the demolition of 615 properties and the consequent rehousing of approximately 2,949 persons. In addition, confirming orders were made in respect of 142 properties but, owing to the outbreak of war, action was suspended and the properties remain occupied. The total of unfit properties demolished includes a number of houses destroyed by enemy action. There were also 38 individual unfit houses dealt with, from which 201 persons were rehoused. HUTTED CAMPS. The total number of families remaining in occupation of temporary dwellings in hutted camps and on gun sites throughout the year was 118. In the majority of cases these families have been in occupation since August, 1946. These temporary dwellings, though occupied, deteriorated and raised new problems of maintenance, especially as Nissen huts could not be repaired. |
2abe5cff-8364-4523-9993-a902e516e1db | At the end of the year a contractor who had been authorised to reconstruct the defective huts had been unable to secure the materials with which to carry out the work, as the asbestos sheets needed to provide a new outer skin to the Nissen huts was not obtainable. The drainage and other domestic conveniences were maintained in a satisfactory condition. (C) INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD. MILK SUPPLY. Th ere are no cowkeepers in the district and we have no dairies where milk is handled or treated. Th ere are 28 premises on the register for the retail of pre-packed supplies. In addition, there arc six milk purveyors who occupy premises in other districts, but who retail in Barking. In Appendix F a table is given which sets out the results of the bacteriological examination of various samples. Barking's milk supply is now provided by three multiple companies who bring their milk from processing depots, after heat treatment, in other districts. |
ce149e80-7f23-4dc1-bdf1-1000d565ec09 | Page 43 THE HEALTH OF BARKING There were, during the year, 60 samples of milk submitted to biological examination for the presence of tubercle. In three cases the guinea pig died prematurely. In no case was there a positive result. The following table shows the number of licences granted during the year for the sale of graded milks under the Milk (Special Designations) Orders, 1936 and 1938:— Tuberculin Tested 10 Pasteurised 10 FOOD HYGIENE. Unsound Food. In Appendix F, a table is given showing the total quantity of food condemned. During the war years, the meals habits of the people underwent a revolutionary change. No longer does the breadwinner return home for the midday meal or take his food for such meal with him from the home. |
356cb18e-87f0-4522-8208-e011da87e43c | A survey of the catering services in the Borough shows the distribution to be as follows:— School Meals Service 9 kitchens Factory Canteens 40 kitchens Licensed Houses 11 kitchens Dining Rooms 56 Food Manufacturing Premises 31 General Food Shops 131 Street Food Stalls:— Sweets 3 Packed Foods 6 Greengrocery 14 Fish 8 Fishmongers 25 (including 17 fryers Ice Cream:— Vendors 70 Manufacturers 4 Sweet Shops 75 Bakehouses 10 Butchers 46 (Horseflesh 1) The term conservation of food used in its widest sense includes any action taken to prevent contamination and spoilage and this work has become the primay function of your sanitary inspectors engaged upon food hygiene. The analytical examinations carried out by the public analyst show that metallic contamination is nowadays fairly rare but there has been an increase in the sickness due to food Page 44 THE HEALTH OF BARKING handling because of the greater communal feeding taking place. |
c0df20f8-d370-413a-9889-81ff2728487f | To avoid any extension, and to bring about a reduction of such food poisoning by bacteria, a campaign was started to reduce contamination due to the lack of cleanliness. The need for cleanliness and the need for strict personal hygiene was strongly emphasised. FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1938—SAMPLING. During the year, your authorised officers have submitted a total of 308 samples for examination. Details of these samples are given in Appendix F in tabular form. It is indicative of the value of publicity on health matters that the public frequently bring to the notice of the Department any food and sometimes cooking utensils, felt to be harmful to the individual, with a view to examination by the analyst. Under this heading we submitted steam pudding mixtures, baby food, an aluminium bowl and peppermint chocolates. Our attention was also called to the sale of mineral oil intended for frying purposes. The report of the analyst on this material showed it to be liquid paraffin. |
92a94d90-ee7b-450d-bd1d-3bb4e0d33b22 | The fact that the sale of any form of oil is so easily made shows only too clearly that the resources of the housewife have been reduced to the last extremity in the matter of frying fat. This is further emphasised when one knows that the price of the oil ranges between four and eight shillings per pint. Ice Cream. During the year a deputation from the Local Food Executive Committee waited upon the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food with respect to the chemical quality of ice cream with a view to the institution of controlled prices. Evidence by the Department showed that pre-war the large manufacturer was able to provide ice cream with a fat content so rich as 14% and retailed this product in wafer form at a price of 3d., having a thickness of from 5/6" to ¾" and with a coating of chocolate or at 2d. without any coating, whereas at present the ice cream produced by the large bulk manufacturers contained from 8 to 10 per cent. |
04ceb268-6c2e-490a-a6e7-450ab4cd64ba | fat and that of the small producer retailers contained from 1 to 4 per cent. (sometimes lev than 1 per cent.) of fat, but with a large proportion of farinaceous material, chiefly wheaten in origin. As the price of both qualities is uncontrolled, it would appear that the general public is paying excessive prices for the inferior article. It is suggested, therefore, that the products should be divided into two groups (1) Ice Cream (over 8 per cent. fat) and (2) Water Ice (under 2 per cent. fat), both of which would need to be legally defined. Smoked Herring Spread. On bacteriological examination a tin of this material was found to contain a large number of micro-organisms showing that the contents of the tin were not sterile. Appropriate action was taken and in consequence it was found necessary by the London Packers to call in the bulk of this material which had been distributed nationally. |
bc5c7b08-1c01-493e-84f0-c7d99b83aad8 | Page 45 THE HEALTH OF BARKING FOOD POISONING. Only two cases of food poisoning were notified during the year, but I do not feel that this represents the whole of the persons affected. With more general recognition by the public of the causes of minor diarrhoea and sickness, more action can be taken towards prevention and control. STREET TRADING. The demand for increase in food supplies has been emphasised in Barking by the inadequate number of retail shops sited on the London County Council Estate. Owing to the shortage of" off ration " foods the Council decided to allow trading from street stalls to commence. This departure from the normal practice in Barking was undertaken reluctantly and arose from the insistent demand of the consumer residents. It is not suggested that even with the strict operation of the Street Trading Bye-laws the same standard of hygiene can be maintained as in established shops. I look forward to the time when available food supplies distributed from the established shops will be sufficient for all purposes. |
354869e4-34c2-4fca-bea1-d2c6adc686e3 | FOOD MARKETS. There are two covered markets established in the district in which the majority of the shops retail food. The sanitary conveniences and washing facilities are provided in a unit building for use by the whole of the traders. This is not ideal, but under the present legislation must be accepted. Our aim is to secure the provision of sanitary accommodation and washing facilities immediately available to all food retailing premises. CHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF FOOD. The bacteriological examination of all milk and water supplies and the chemical examination of water supplies is carried out for this Authority by the Counties Public Health Laboratories, 66, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1, whilst the examination of samples of milk for the presence of tubercle is carried out by Dr. A. L. Sheather, of Chorleywood, Herts. The Borough Analyst is Dr. J. H. Hamence, Peak House, Eastcheap, London, E.C. |
87cfe14e-66fa-47c3-835b-3f1a5ead0b97 | Page 46 THE HEALTH OF BARKING APPENDIX A. STATISTICAL AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE AREA. TABLE I DEATHS (NET)—1947 Causes and Totals. Causes of Death. Total. |
8ad06e42-7a49-40ad-85db-d81c3c455395 | Enteric Fever — Cerebro-sninal Fever 2 Scarlet Fever – Whooping Cough 4 Diphtheria – Pulmonay Tuberculosis 51 Non-Pulmonary Tuberculosis 5 Syphilitic Diseases 5 Influenza 3 Measles 1 Acute Polipmyelitis and Polio-encephalitis 2 Acute In Encephalitis 2 Cancer (all forms) 122 Diabetes 5 Intra-cranial Vascular Lesions 56 Heart Diseases 155 Other Diseases of Circulatory System 19 Bronchitis 61 Pneumonia 27 Other Respiratory Diseases 11 Ulcer of Stomach or Duodenum 6 Diarrhoea under 2 years) 5 Appendicitis 5 Other Digestive Diseases 13 Nephritis 15 Maternal Causes – Prematura 15 Congenita Malformation, Birth Injury, |
23c8360d-7a6f-4b10-ab87-44e2454699d0 | Infantile Diseases 25 Suicide 2 Road Traffic Accidents 10 Other Violent Causes 11 All Other Causes 39 Total 677 Page 47 THE HEALTH OF BARKING TABLE II COMPARATIVE INFANT MORTALITY RATES. Year. Barking. County Boroughs and Great Towns, including London. England and Wales. 1926 59 73 70 1927 66.1 71 69 1928 63.3 70 65 1929 53.4 79 74 1930 61.3 64 60 1931 64.4 71 66 1932 53.4 69 65 1933 55.6 67 64 1934 56.7 63 59 1935 52.2 62 57 1936 56.07 63 59 1937 53.8 62 58 1938 39. |
ed560f26-c356-436f-ac52-4f2439a3d48e | 5 57 53 1939 33.91 53 50 1940 32.98 61 56 1941 36.3 71 60 1942 35.68 59 49 1943 37.2 58 49 1944 28.35 52 46 1945 38.56 54 46 1946 32.79 46 43 1947 31.35 47 41 Page 48 k THE HEALTH OF BARKING TABLE III INFANTILE MORTALITY—1947. 0-1 mth. 1-3 mths. 3-6 mths. 6-9 mths. 9-12 mths. Total under 1 year. Acute Cerebrospinal Fever — — 1 — — 1 Atelectasis 5 — — — — 5 Broncho-pneumonia 3 2 2 5 — |
5f8df663-e2f1-4ddb-a82e-e033902b6e98 | 12 Cerebral Haemorrhage 2 — — — — 2 Cerebral Thrombosis — — — 1 — 1 Congenital Malformations 6 3 1 — — 10 Enteritis and Diarrhoea — 1 — 2 — 3 Haemolytic Disease 1 — — — — 1 Intestinal Obstruction — — 2 — — 2 Lobar Pneumonia — 1 — — — 1 Myocardial Degeneration — — 1 — — 1 Poliomyelitis — — — 1 — 1 Prematurity 16 — — — — 16 Pulmonary Congestion — 1 — — — 1 Tuberculosis — — — — 1 1 Totals 33 8 7 9 1 58 TABLE IV NEO-NATAL MORTALITY—1947. Under 1 week. 1-2 weeks. 2-3 weeks. 3-4 weeks. |
eebbdf14-29bb-470a-9c67-27d8a84e0d92 | Total. Atelectasis 5 — — — 5 Broncho-pneumonia 1 1 — 1 3 Congenital Malformations 3 2 1 — 6 Cerebral Haemorrhage 2 — — 2 Haemolytic Disease 1 — — — 1 Prematurity 15 1 — — 16 Totals 27 4 1 1 33 Page 49 THE HEALTH OF BARKING APPENDIX B. GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE AREA. TABLE V NATURE OF ATTENDANCE AT CONFINEMENT (Compiled from Forms M.C.W. 96). 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 No. °/ /o No. 0/ /o No. 0/ /o No. °/ /o No. % No. % No. 0/ /o No. |
c035e317-6ae4-487d-8050-6cf4566b9a1f | O/ /O DISTRICT :— Doctor and Midwife 62 6.4 24 2-5 44 3-7 26 2.1 27 2.2 15 i-3 49 3-1 46 2.6 Midwife 411 42.4 307 32.2 417 35-0 477 39-5 454 37-1 47i 42.5 713 45-4 909 52.3 INSTITUTIONAL Upney Hospital 454 46.9 424 44-5 469 39-4 508 42.1 488 39-5 476 43.0 767 48.8 74i 42.7 Evacuated 4i 4-3 197 20.8 258 21.9 195 16.3 255 20.9 145 13.2 41 2. |
76605762-d867-453d-8a30-8f027f0e7bf7 | 7 42 2.4 Total 495 51.2 621 65.3 728 61.3 703 58.4 743 60.7 621 56.2 808 5i-5 783 45.1 TOTAL 968 100.0 952 100.0 1,189 100.0 1,206 100.0 1,224 100.0 1,107 100.0 1.57° 100.0 1.738 100.0 Page 50 THE HEALTH OF BARKING TABLE VI ORTHOPAEDIC SERVICE—1947. Toddlers and Adults School Children ATTENDANCES. Primary Examination by Surgeon 112 56 Re-examination by Surgeon 170 154 For treatment 6,003 6,681 Totals 6,285 6,891 TREATMENTS. |
05984720-a817-43d6-b412-6fe21dae7db0 | Number of Cases 894 908 Number of Treatments 10,012 6,681 HOSPITAL TREATMENT. Admissions to Hospitals 2 3 Or Waiting List for Admission — — TABLE VII NEW CASES SEEN BY THE ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON—1947. Toddlers and Adults School Children DEFORMITIES OF BONES & JOINTS 1. Congenital 8 — 2. Acquired 80 43 MUSCULAR:— 1 Congenital 7 1 2. Acquired 3 5 PARALYSIS 5 2 MISCELLANEOUS 9 4 Page 51 THE HEALTH OF BARKING TABLE VIII EAR, NOSE AND THROAT SERVICE. |
a210d2d6-358a-4169-b91b-5b6327d3e37a | Mothers & Toddlers Adults— Public Scheme School Children TOTAL Year 1946 Year 1947 Year 1946 Year 1947 Year 1946 Year 1947 Year 1946 Year 1947 Number of Attendances at the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic 258 309 30 35 897 767 1,185 1,111 Number of cases which received operative treatment 54 41 — — 251 223 305 264 Number of cases which received other forms of treatment 127 151 20 23 236 308 383 482 TABLE IX CHIROPODY SERVICE. Year 1944 Year 1945 Year 1946 Year 1947 1. Treatment Sessions 1,307 1,530 1,755 1,113 2. Total Individual Patients 2,006 2,475 2,649 3,205 3. |
08c8e669-55e9-4ff7-8c7c-51a4242d8853 | New Patients 1,233 1,179 1,071 943 4. Total treatments given 8,537 10,222 13,934 10,995 5. Infra-red treatments (included in 4) 578 595 641 558 Page 52 THE HEALTH OF BARKING TABLE X SKIN CLINIC. Consultations. Treatments. Year 1946 Year 1947 Year 1946 Year 1947 Sessions 47 52 100 104 Attendances :— Children under 5 years 212 238 472 643 Children 5-15 years 351 467 1,505 1, |
84e5360e-7408-45e7-986e-d31c77a539c6 | 785 Ante Natal and Post Natal Cases 191 198 358 460 Other categories (including Public Adult Scheme) 184 126 325 292 TABLE XI SCABIES New Cases Recurring Cases TOTAL Year 1946 Year 1947 Year 1946 Year 1947 Year 1946 Year 1947 Total number of patients 662 277 49 10 711 287 Adults 357 140 18 1 375 141 Children 305 137 31 9 336 146 Referred from:— Clinics 267 139 25 9 292 148 Other sources 395 138 24 1 419 139 Number of cases cleansed at the Barking Hospital:— Adults 233 96 15 1 248 97 Children 273 124 30 9 303 133 Page 53 THE HEALTH OF BARKING TABLE XII OPHTHALMIC SERVICE. Treatment of Defective Vision. |
b11e420c-6f7f-4b74-a304-4de8befc4ce3 | Mothers & Toddlers Adults— Public Scheme School Children TOTAL Year 1946 Year 1947 Year 1946 Year 1947 Year 1946 Year 1947 Year 1946 Year 1947 Errors of Refraction, etc. requiring treatment 215 243 407 410 794 749 1,416 1,402 Number for whom spectacles were:— (a) Prescribed 93 102 298 290 492 414 883 806 (i) Obtained 36 65 236 251 600 503 872 819 TABLE XIII OPHTHALMIC SERVICE. Squint Training. |
958e03ca-4276-4550-94e0-46437f5c2078 | Year 1946 Year 1947 Number of Sessions 91 76 Number of Children Attended 26 81 Number of New Cases 9 55 Number of Old Cases 17 26 Number of Attendances 582 416 Number Discharged—Cured 2 — Number Left School — — Number Discontinued 2 1 Page 54 THE HEALTH OF BARKING TABLE XIV DENTAL SERVICE—1947. |
658613ec-0b4d-4ce4-ae3f-237ed0f44396 | Mothers & Toddlers Adults— Public Scheme School Children TOTAL Number of patients treated 1,583 2,868 2,548 6,999 Attendances for treatment 3,888 9,724 10,511 24,123 Extractions 2,200 7,537 6,769 16,506 Administrations of Gas 609 1,649 3,089 5,347 Fillings 764 1,453 4,997 7,214 Other Operations 2,249 7,782 2,873 12,904 Dentures supplied 199 1,186 54 1,439 Sessions (equivalent of) 294 772 966 2,032 Page 55 THE HEALTH OF BARKING APPENDIX C. PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER, INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES. TABLE XV NOTIFICATION OF TUBERCULOSIS—1947. |
1bb52462-74a9-4bb0-92c8-f5e348213b1f | New Cases Notified TOTAL Pulmonary N on-Pulmonary M. F. M. F. Under 1 year 1 — — — 1 1 to 5 years 1 — — 1 18 5 to 15 years 8 5 3 2 15 to 25 years 23 33 4 3 63 25 to 35 years 23 13 2 1 39 35 to 45 years 9 13 — — 22 45 to 55 years 8 7 — — 15 55 to 65 years 9 1 — — 10 65 years and upwards 1 1 — — 2 Totals 82 74 9 6 171 Page 56 THE HEALTH OF BARKING APPENDIX D. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. (A) SANITARY INSPECTION. (i) In pection of Dwelling-Houses. |
f998732b-d74f-46fc-bc1f-9f94ea76c124 | Total Houses inspected under Public Health or Housing Acts 4,342 Total Number of Inspections made 10,662 After Infectious Disease and Scabies 667 Overcrowd ;d Premises 658 Defects Found 2,540 Notices Served (Preliminary) 1,458 Re-inspections re Notices Served 4,951 Inspection of Work in Progress 1,300 (ii) Premises Controlled by Bye-laws and Regulations. Inspections. Contraventions. Notices served. Offensive Trades 34 28 13 Tents, Vans , Sheds and Fairgrounds 7 1 1 Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops 7 7 4 Hairdressrs' and Barbers' Premises 38 10 7 Smoke Observations 35 7 7 (iii) Miscellaneous. Inspections. Defects. Notices. |
b1ba5562-778b-433d-9795-997a153d1cb8 | Bakehouse 16 10 3 Butchers' Premises 103 49 33 Drainage Inspections 172 318 60 Fishmongers 58 33 19 Food and Drugs Act, 1938 613 171 102 Food Sampling 308 — — Ice Cream Vendors 108 37 23 Page 57 THE HEALTH OF BARKING Inspection. Defects. Notices. |
392035fd-b34d-4c35-be05-47a3e116c7e9 | Milk Sampling 122 — — Other Miscellaneous 201 7 2 Piggeries 14 — — Public Lavatories 32 1 — Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919 237 46 40 Restaurants, Dining Rooms and Canteens 86 69 31 Schools 44 — — Shops Act, 1934, and Markets 357 117 65 Stables and Stable Yards 16 — — Street Traders 150 2 1 Vacant Land and Refuse Tips 47 1 1 Watercourses 2 1 1 Water Sampling 62 — — (iv) Notices Served. |
efeed724-0756-4188-bab3-f82cf11710aa | Informal Notices 1,458 Statutory Notices:— Public Health Act, 1936: Section 39 26 Section 45 57 Section 83 — Section 93 256 Housing Act, 1936: Sections 9 and 10 37 Section 24 — Section 32 — Dustbins: Public Health Act, 1936 : Section 75 (3) 836 Total 1,212 Page 58 THE HEALTH OF BARKING (B) FACTORIES ACT, 1937. |
81664bf3-dea4-439b-8841-dc3e9cf717ae | 1.—.Inspections for purposes of provisions as to health (including inspections made by Sanitary Inspectors) Premises Number on Register Number of Inspections Written notices Occupiers prosecuted (i) Factories in which Sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 are to be enforced by Local Authorities 77 32 3 — (ii) Factories not included in (i) in which Section 7 is enforced by the Local Authority 157 85 26 — (iii) Other Premises in which Section 7 is enforced by the Local Authority (excluding out-workers' premises) — — — — Total 234 117 29 — 2.—Cases in which Defects were found Particulars Number of cases in which defects were found Number of cases in which prosecutions were instituted Found Remedied Referred To H.M. Inspector By H.M. |
2cb49b71-7845-434f-bc61-384160db402c | Inspector Want of cleanliness (S.1) — — — — — Overcrowding (S.2) — — — — — Unreasonable temperature (S.3) — — — — — Inadequate ventilation (S.4) 1 — — — — Ineffective drainage of floors (S.6) — — — — — Sanitary Conveniences (S.7) (a) Insufficient 8 — — 1 — (b) Unsuitable or defective 16 1 — 2 — (c) Net separate for sexes — — — — — Other offences against the Act (not including offences relating to Outwork) 11 6 — — — Total 36 7 — 3 — Page 59 THE HEALTH OF BARKING OUTWORK. |
e1ce83c5-175f-4912-b4ce-e1be4d38084c | Section 110: Number of out-workers in August List required by Section no (i) (c) 135 Nature of work carried out by out-workers:— Making of wearing apparel 114 Cleaning and washing of wearing apparel 1 Umbrellas, etc. 1 The making of boxes or other receptacles or parts thereof made wholly or partially of paper 7 Brush making 1 Cosaques, Christmas Crackers, Christmas Stockings, etc. 11 Number of cases of default in sending in lists to the Council Nil Section III:— Number of instances of work in unwholesome premises Nil Number of notices served Nil Number of prosecutions in respect of out-workers' premises Nil (C) HOUSING (a) General. |
8380670d-1e92-4d22-af0d-8b85975482a9 | (i) Number of dwellings provided in Barking during 1947:— By the Barking Corporation: New houses 57 Rebuilt houses 18 Prefabricated bungalows 127 Total 202 By the London County Council: Rebuilt houses 62 Prefabricated bungalows 205 Total 267 By Private Enterprise: New houses 17 Rebuilt houses 4 Total dwellings provided 490 Page 60 THE HEALTH OF BARKING (ii) Number of applications for rehousing outstanding at 31st December, 1947 3,370 (iii) Number of dwellings provided in Barking since the war:— By the Barking Corporation: New permanent houses 73 Prefabricated bungalows 285 Rebuilt houses 21 St. |
f4bd86e1-bbf7-4228-89da-a6476f9120bc | Paul's Flats (Conversion of Civil Defence Depot) 11 Hutments for homeless 50 Requisitioned properties 428 Rebuilt requisitioned properties 12 880 By the London County Council: Rebuilt houses 168 Prefabricated bungalows 297 465 By Private Enterprise: New houses 17 Rebuilt houses 5 22 (iv) Post-war housing programme of the Barking Corporation:— Prefabricated bungalows 285 (all erected and let) New permanent dwellings 773 (73 erected and let) Rebuilding of properties 63 (21 erected and let) Rebuilding of requisitioned properties 12 (all completed and — let) 1,133 (b) Unfit Dwelling-Houses. I. Inspection of dwelling-houses during the year. |
d138a185-1d10-44a2-9052-fc45e60258ed | (I) (a) Total number of dwelling-houses inspected for housing defects (under Public Health or Housing Acts) 4,342 (b) Number of inspections made for the purpose 10,662 Page 61 THE HEALTH OF BARKING (2) Number of dwelling-houses found to be in a state so dangerous or injurious to health as to be unfit for human habitation (3) Number of dwelling-houses (exclusive of those referred to under the preceding sub-head) found not to be in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation 2,572 2. Remedy of Defects during the Year without Service of Formal Notices:— Number of defective dwelling-houses rendered fit in consequence of informal action by the Local Authority or their officers 1,164 3. Action under Statutory Powers during the Year:— A.—Proceedings under Sections 9, 10 and 16 of the Housing Act, |
55b4864b-1eed-4693-b336-744d47a69315 | 1936:— (1) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which notices were served requiring repairs (2) Number of dwelling-houses which were rendered fit after service of formal notices:— (a) By owners 45 (b) By local authority in default of owners B.—Proceedings under Public Health Acts:— (1) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which notices were served requiring defects to be remedied 339 (2) Number of dwelling-houses in which defects were remedied after service of formal notices:— (a) By owners 246 (b) By local authority in default of owners (c) By local authority on behalf of owners C.—Proceedings under Sections n and 13 of the Housing Act, 1936:— (1) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which Demolition Orders were made (2) Number of dwelling-houses demolished in pursuance of Demolition Orders D.—Proceedings under Section 12 of the Housing Act, |
93b90be8-d626-45a2-a310-b1d713afb898 | 1936:— (1) Number of separate tenements or underground rooms in respect of which closing orders were made (2) Number of separate tenements or underground rooms in respect of which closing orders were determined, the tenement or room having been rendered fit E.—Number of dustbins supplied by local authority under Dustbin Maintenance Scheme :— Initial Issues 836 Renewals 337 Total 1,173 Page 62 THE HEALTH OF BARKING (D) INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD. MILK SAMPLES—BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION—1947. Type of Sample Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Totals "Pasteurised" Milk 32 — 32 Heat Treated — 2 2 Tuberculin Tested Milk 6 6 12 Tuberculin Tested (Pasteurised) Milk 20 — 20 Totals 58 8 66 UNSOUND FOOD CONDEMNED—1947. Bacon 33 lbs. |
a7bcf391-a544-4a39-b803-cd43a5d2fac3 | Bread and Flour 185 lbs. Butter 24 lbs. Cheese 398 lbs. Eggs 992 Fish 3,274 lbs. Fruit 173 lbs. Lard 9 lbs. Margarine 28 lbs. Meat 351 lbs. Milk 2,081 tins Preserves 594 lbs. Rabbits 60 lbs. Sauce, Pickles, etc. 80 pints Sugar 41 lbs. Sweets 74 lbs. Various Fillings 1,774 tins, jars, etc. Vegetables 7¾ tons Page 63 THE HEALTH OF BARKING FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1938—SAMPLES SUBMITTED FOR EXAMINATION—1947. Baking Powder 3 Beer 2 Beverages (Cocoa, etc.) |
3ea58dbe-cc52-4d6b-9b3b-be1df09bd43f | 9 Bread and Flour 14 Butter 17 Cooking Fat 11 Custard Powder 3 Edible Oil 2 Fish Paste 9 Ice Cream 54 Lard 4 Margarine 16 Medicinal Products 21 Milk 11 Milk Powder 2 Mineral Waters and Cordials 6 Other Provisions 41 Pickles 7 Preserves 25 Pressed Meat 7 Sausages and Sausage Meat 8 Spirits 7 Spices 8 Sweets 8 Vinegar 13 Total 308 Page 64 |
c2f02198-1c1d-4908-b47f-2b6167b6fca7 | AC 4411 (1) BARK 79 Question and Answer In which Medical officer of Health reports on the Health of the Children of Barking for the year 1947 Borough of Barking telephone no Public Health Dept., rippleway 3880 Barking, Essex With the Compliments of the Medical Officer of Health BARK 79 Question: What is this book about ? Answer: This book tells something of the health of some of the people of Barking, and these "some" are very important. They are the young people, and in this book is set forth what is being done to promote health and to maintain health among them. Public Health Department, Barking, Essex. July, 1948. To the Chairman and Members of the Barking Committee for Education. The dry bones of statistics are dead; the task of your Medical Officer in his Annual Report is to make them live. |
1b90934f-bb78-4eed-8e4c-cde2bf0db7a3 | I am deeply conscious of the fact that this is a difficult task and am therefore constrained to ask your kindly indulgence. Once again I must ask you to read this report with imagination so that the dry bones are knit together and clothed with flesh and skin and stand—a living witness to the intense story of human endeavour which lies behind the factual statement I am privileged to submit to you. This report follows broadly the same design as my previous reports on this subject, but I have had the temerity to set it forth in a series of questions and answers which I believe may have some merit in novelty, and which will, I believe, make it handier as a book of reference, particularly to members of the public. I am, Your obedient servant, C. LEONARD WILLIAMS, Medical Officer of Health. 5 EDUCATION. Question:—Why are Medical Officers of Health so interested in Education ? |
c8e8ef7d-3273-47b9-8b62-2c5c69048420 | Answer:—Medical Officers of Health are vitally interested in Education because they believe, so far as the past is concerned, that all great advances in Public Health have waited on great advances in Education, and because they believe that, both at the present time and in the future, a well educated public is the only real foundation of co-operation between Medical Officers and the people they strive to serve. SERVICES PROVIDED FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN. Question:—What Medical Services are provided for School Children ? Anszcer:—In the year 1947, so we are told, there were officially 12,119 school children in Barking, and of these no less than 8,970 were seen by your Medical Officers during the course of Periodic Medical Inspection. This Periodic Medical Inspection is the most important of all the services provided. The results of the findings of such enable you to assess the health of the children as a whole and enable you to detect defects which require attention. |
241a3f7d-cdf8-4916-b997-05e70fb91ff6 | When the defects are detected they are dealt with by Assistant Medical Officers where possible and, if necessary, these children are referred to the various Specialist Consultant Sen-ices. Of course not all the defects which come to our notice do so by reason of Periodic Medical Inspection. In many cases the parents themselves bring their children to us at the Clinics and in some cases children are referred to us by their teachers. SCHOOL HYGIENE. Question:—What is meant by the term "School Hygiene" ? Answer:—"Hygeia" was the Goddess of Health, and "Hygiene "—named after her—is the science of such health. Strictly speaking the application of this knowledge should be named "sanitation" but, loosely speaking, the word ''Hygiene" is used not only to cover the scientific side of this matter but sometimes in its practical application. Specialist Consultant Services Ear, Nose and Throat. Orthopaedic. Ophthalmic. Paediatric. Skin. |
fc30720c-485b-4774-9871-da2115c1fcf6 | 6 School Hygiene, of course, is the study of the principles of promoting the health of children whilst at school. The first of all commandments is "Let there be Light" and the first principle in school hygiene is that the classroom shall be light, not only light enough to see by, but full of that light which is health giving. We do not want this light filtered through glass, even good glass, so that whenever practicable all the windows should be open. The possibility of using special glass which does not filter off the health giving rays should be entertained, but it must be remembered that a thin film of dirt on this glass makes it just so opaque as ordinary glass. Moreover, it has been found that where a place is not well lit it is rarely kept scrupulously clean, so that a well lit classroom is not only beneficial directly, but indirectly. |
33baa8ba-fb39-4f33-b2d9-98a598389c62 | The next general principle is that the classroom must be well ventilated and the air must be moving within the classroom; stagnant air has been spoken of as "dead" air. The ancients, in their days, recognised that it was essential to have air moving and chose one and the same word for life and moving air. To maintain movement of air naturally it may be found necessary to introduce more air than is strictly necessary for the purpose of ventilation and, of course, this air may be too cold to be comfortable; under these circumstances, and provided a sufficient volume of air is introduced in any period of time, the necessary movement can be artificially produced by adequate fans, electrically driven. In this country, particularly in the winter, in addition to light and fresh air we must of course provide warmth. |
102d7b2c-a33b-48a5-8bb5-de6d8ff184eb | It is impossible to say what is the ideal temperature at which a classroom should be maintained because there are several factors to be considered—to wit—the movement of the air—the degree of moisture in the air—and we have to recognise that most of the children, for most of the time in the classroom, will be sitting down. Subject to the reservations I have mentioned above as to the movement and humidity of the air, temperatures of something about 60° will be found to be desirable. How to maintain this temperature is a question fraught with great difficulty; we have had all sorts of ideas, from floor heating to ceiling heating; I thoroughly endorse that we must have some form of general heating, but I still believe that nothing will take the place of focal point heating, and that every classroom should have a fireplace which, of course, is one of the best forms of ventilation. |
f93fefd8-87a7-4270-bb2f-3f36ba4a8584 | The antiquated idea of putting school lavatories in some obscure corner of the playground is to my mind quite out of date; the idea that, of necessity, they must be smelly is wrong; nor is there any need to try to kill one smell with another; a reasonable standard of cleanliness will be assured if a lavatory is properly designed and there is no reason therefore why children should, in winter time, have to go across rainswept playgrounds to frozen lavatories. I look forward to the time when no water closet will be looked upon as suitable unless there is a hand basin within, and I see no reason why the flush should not be foot operated. These remarks about school hygiene are illustrative of the principles which must be entertained in making our schools health giving centres of education. 7 FOLLOWING UP. Question:—I know that my children are examined at school. I send them to the Clinic from time to time to be treated, but plainly I ask, what do I know about it all ? |
69993a6e-faa6-4f16-93b8-bdf8e32f909c | I cannot get either to the school or the Clinic. Answer:—The whole of the town is divided into areas, and each area is sufficiently small for the Health Visitor to know the people who live there individually. It is true that we have not enough of these Health Visitors at the present time; that is something which is common all over the country, but there is a Health Visitor for your area. I feel sure you know her and it is only for you to speak to her and you will find possibly she knows all the answers to your questions or that she can soon find out these answers. It is the Health Visitor who is a link between the services provided at the school and at the Clinic on the one hand, and the home on the other. If you have not seen the Health Visitor for a few days visiting somewhere in your street, you can no doubt find time at least to call into the nearest Clinic and leave a message, when the Health Visitor will be pleased to call on you. |
dfecbc81-79c3-44d8-b9b3-ba1a3a9baf8e | Last year over 2,000 such visits were paid and we hope the time is not far distant when this large number will be considerably extended. MEDICAL INSPECTION. Question:—It is eighteen months to two years ago since my little boy was examined by a School Doctor. How often should he be seen ? Answer:—Our aim in Barking is to see every child at school, every year. This was, of course, impossible during the war, and it is only now that we are beginning to hope the time has come when this standard will be practicable. Last year we did not do badly, and as will be seen from the table opposite, there were nearly 9,000 examinations carried out which, having regard to the fact the school population was 12,119, means that 75% of the children were seen during the year. |
da9789ed-c35c-4909-8637-23a17d61df24 | Whilst in 1947 it was not possible to see every child at school, we are reasonably confident that our "Special" examinations covered most, if not indeed all, the scholars who required such an examination on medical grounds. Medical Inspection Group Entrants 1,786 Second Age-groups 2,047 Third Age-groups 1,700 TOTAL 5,533 Other Inspections 3,437 GRAND TOTAL 8,970 8 Question:—My child is quite healthy. As a matter of fact I have got two, a boy and a girl, and they are both healthy. They have both been examined medically very thoroughly recently for quite another matter, which convinces me more than ever they are quite healthy, so what is the use of School Medical Inspection to me ? Answer:—To you, personally, the only value of a school medical inspection is to make quite sure everything is all right, and there can be no harm in another examination. |
b982c651-5b75-4804-802b-b7bd3061de3e | It is, however, very important you should have your children examined and the doctor's assessment placed on record, because the primary object of these examinations is to discover what favourable or unfavourable effects the system of education may have upon the physical health and well being of children as a whole. From this standpoint it is highly desirable that the children who are fit should be classified and recorded, otherwise the Committee and the Ministry would not be in a position to assess the physical progress of children attending school. I can assure you these figures make most interesting reading to students, who of course make comparisons between certain age groups and so forth, now and years ago. Supposing we take one illustration. No less than 8,970 children were examined during the year 1947. It was found that of these 2,974 were first-class nutrition, 5,971 normal and 25 slightly sub-normal. |
06dbe092-1424-40cf-b48b-d4c73fe33a8c | Incidentally I may mention that the heights and weights are all recorded and we believe positively that children generally are inches taller and pounds heavier than they were a generation ago. What is more, Committees and Officers are able to compare the physical development of one area of the country with another. Herein I may mention I have reason to believe that Barking does not suffer by any such comparison. ARRANGEMENTS FOR TREATMENT. Question:—What arrangements are made for treatment of children other than Specialist Consultant Clinics ? Answer:—There are three Health Centres in the Borough—Central Health Centre, Vicarage Drive, Ripple Road, Barking; Porters Avenue Health Centre, Porters Avenue, Dagenham; and Woodward Health Centre, Woodward Road, Dagenham. At each of these Health Centres a Minor Ailment Clinic is conducted each morning (Sunday excepted) where a Medical Officer is always in attendance. |
2c0d18a4-7af3-4368-97f0-f3b1b7738252 | 9 A Minor Ailment Clinic is, in fact, a well organised surgery where many major defects are first discovered; here the Medical Officers deal with cuts, bruises and apparent trivial complaints which unless treated at the onset may develop into a serious illness. During the year 1947, there were 27,156 attendances at these Clinics. Clinic No. of days Clinic was open No. of attendances Daily average attendance No. of cases dealt with Total No. of attendances Total No. of cases dealt with Central 3°7 9,036 29.4 2,221 27,156 7,036 Woodward 3º7 10,589 34.5 2,580 Porters Avenue 3°5 7,531 24.7 2,235 TREATMENT OF DEFECTIVE VISION AND SQUINT. Question :—Why is it so many children have defective vision ? |
f797d492-a844-4a01-9d89-c86953ed0918 | Answer :—We have become accustomed to adults wearing glasses and we do not take much notice of it but somehow or other we do take note of a child wearing glasses, and so it comes about we tend to get a wrong impression of the number of children who have to wear glasses. As a matter of fact it is because it is not usual for children to wear glasses that the wearing of glasses by children is so obvious ; also, by reason of the fact that their features are not so well formed as in later life, glasses tend not to fit so well. This makes them more obvious and of course we cannot expect children to take the same care of their glasses, with the result that the joints become loose, the fit becomes even less satisfactory, and the glasses become still more obvious. There were, as a matter of fact, during the year 1947, only 119 children for whom glasses were prescribed for the first time. |
e9338c97-a821-4944-b585-1bba7f5c6407 | TREATMENT OF DEFECTIVE VISION AND SQUINT (Excluding Minor Eye Defects Treated as Minor Ailments.) No. of defects dealt with Errors of Refraction (including squint) 749 Other defect or disease of the eyes — Total 749 No. of pupils for whom spectacles were:— (a) Prescribed 414 (b) Obtained 5°3 10 We are today using our eyes under conditions which are quite different from the circumstances under which the eye was developed. When Euclid (or whoever it was before him) introduced geometry with straight lines and right angles, he introduced a difficulty our eyes were never designed to meet. |
f0512d70-2804-41dd-9ffa-5035e1da164c | One man no doubt sees an oak leaf one shape and another man sees it a different shape and it does not matter at all, but straight lines and right angles are altogether a different proposition and any minor disability in the apparatus of the eye is noticeable; in a word, therefore, because straight lines and right angles are the order of the day it is necessary to correct relatively minor errors. There is another disability from which we are suffering today, and that is a very large number of us now for long periods of the day are living under conditions where the eye has not its necessary periods of rest. The eye can never be at rest unless it is focussed on something about 20 feet away or over. In the ordinary classroom, therefore, unless the child is looking out of the window instead of doing his work, the eye of the normal child is rarely completely at rest. This disability is increased considerably where for long periods the child is engaged on desk work. |
ac8b05c9-4209-4e85-849e-f5a8e251239c | The Victorians with their mirrors (which unfortunately have gone out of fashion) had this advantage over us, that at least these mirrors did double the distance of the object at which they were looking. In many cases this accommodation is relatively easy in children although more difficult in adults, but it still does have some effect on the eyes of children. As a matter of fact the eye is not a precision instrument as a piece of optical apparatus. It is the brain beyond the eye which, by trial and error, learns to see clearly what is, after all, only imperfectly focussed on the back of the eye. I am not suggesting that children should be encouraged to look out of windows instead of doing their work, but I do suggest they should be definitely taught when not actively engaged on some task, to rest their eyes by looking at something in the distance. ORTHOPTIC CLINIC. Question:—What treatment is given for squint, and is it successful ? |
6183905b-d5c3-44ff-80c0-4b092165e011 | Answer:—Training the eyes cannot be undertaken until the child is able to look at pictures and it has been found by experience that it is an intelligent child who can do this before the age of four or five. Unfortunately, training in the muscles of the eye does not do much good after the child is eleven or twelve years old. It is therefore necessary to concentrate between these years. What is done is as follows:— 11 There is a machine which has a long name (and has not got a short one)—it is called a Synoptophore. This consists of two periscopes; the child looks through one periscope with one eye and the other periscope with the other eye. |
241e930b-e7bd-4eef-9c57-4ce9a5fd88a3 | Looking down one periscope the child sees an illuminated picture of—let us say—a butterfly; looking down the other periscope the child sees an illuminated picture of a net, and the game is to juggle with these two periscopes in such a way that the child can get the butterfly into the net. In order to avoid boredom there are several other pairs of pictures—such as getting a sentry into the box—but the game is always the same, getting the two objects into a certain position. Not much progress can be made at any one sitting. It must be very tiresome for a child to attend again and again to get this treatment, but having regard to the fact that benefits can only be achieved between certain ages it is necessary to attend continuously; any sessions lost are, as it were, gone for ever. |
d3779e8f-26c6-490f-b8aa-17755366d0f8 | Wearing glasses, even against the wishes of the child, may be equally necessary— so also is the necessity, when advised, of wearing a disc in front of one eye in order to constrain the other eye to its proper amount of work. Orthoptic Clinic Number of children attended 81 Number of new cases 55 Number of old cases 26 Number of attendances 416 Number discharged cured — Number discontinued 1 Number of sessions 76 TREATMENT OF DEFECTS OF EAR, NOSE AND THROAT. Question:—What is done, so far as the ear, nose and throat are concerned, besides hacking children's tonsils out ? Answer:—This question, like so many others to which I have addressed myself, is one which has actually been put to me by a member of the public. |
aca382f3-8b24-48b0-bd30-a4beb679a1cd | It is a curious thing that once you have "given a dog a bad name you may as well hang him" and, of course, it is true that forty and fifty years ago an operation for tonsils and adenoids was looked upon as a very minor operation, properly undertaken by a very junior surgeon, but this is not true today. Indeed, an operation for tonsils for anybody getting on in life must be regarded (and is regarded) as an operation of a major nature, 12 It cannot be too often emphasised that tonsils are not taken out merely because they are enlarged. Tonsils have to be taken out when they are diseased or when they are obstructive. Personally I have found a third circumstance—to wit—when by reason of their size and shape they act as though they were a foreign body at the back of the throat, making the child feel a little sick. |
8c3cc154-c6e2-45eb-8419-29c3d823e9c7 | It is, I believe, the relief of this symptom which leads to an increase in appetite noted by so many mothers after the child has been operated on for tonsils. The Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon is, however, interested in a much wider field than tonsils and adenoids, and from the standpoint of preventive medicine I am most interested—in his interest—in what are termed sinuses, that is, cavities in the bones of the face that are filled with air which is in direct communication with the nose: such cavities are to be found behind the eyebrows and behind each cheek bone. When these cavities become infected it is very difficult to clear up this infection, and they tend to become a recurring source of infection throughout the whole of the air passages leading right down to the lungs. It is useless beginning to think of clearing up certain chest conditions before you have dealt with the sinuses. |
ef715447-433d-44a5-8fb7-ab013b75953c | Your surgeons do have a lot to do with making quite sure that no child is prevented from deriving proper benefit from education at school by reason of lack of acuity of hearing. This lack of acuity may be due to disease in the ear, as such, or disease in the nerve which is the bond between the ear and the brain. It is an expert job both to come to a decision in this matter and to provide any necessary treatment. My own opinion is that the Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon has an even more important part to play in the future than he has in the past. The table inset shows the number of children who received operative and other forms of treatment at Clinics and Hospitals throughout the year. TREATMENT OF DEFECTS OF NOSE AND THROAT Total Number Treated Received operative treatment: (a) for adenoids and chronic tonsilitis 223 (b) for other nose and throat conditions - Received other forms of treatment 308 Total 531 13 DENTAL SERVICE. |
92e771b3-4245-4d7e-ac90-2fbe1d774aad | Question:—What does Mr. Tran, your Senior Dental Surgeon, say about " your service " ? Answer :—Mr. Tran writes as follows :— "Your dental service for the year has shown a marked improvement on recent years and there is every hope that such improvement will not only be maintained but surpassed, provided the necessary dental staff is available. The shortage in the dental profession is a national bogey and gives grave concern to all who visualise a complete National Dental Service; there are only about one thousand more dentists in the country today than there were twenty years ago, and it is common knowledge that in the clinics alone the requirements have increased manifold. The public today are more dental minded than ever they were, nowhere is this fact more apparent than in Barking, undoubtedly due to your policy of extending dental facilities to other than school children. |
e5bed4de-5f3b-47dd-aee6-222cf67f5e5a | The object of the School Dental Service is to render the child dentally fit upon leaving school and at the same time educating him or her to be so dentally minded as to seek periodical inspection and advice of his or her own free will throughout adult life. Hitherto, a considerable amount of the school dentist's work has been wasted in that after leaving school the periodical visit to the dentist has been allowed to lapse on account of the parent, or the adult patient, having to foot the bill and in an age when there are so many calls on the pocket it is hardly to be wondered that dental treatment has been looked upon rather as an unpleasant, expensive luxury, until such time as an offending molar drives the sufferer to have an old and faithful servant removed at whatever the price. |
75389387-eabf-4db1-9083-7dbd38f67574 | The advent of the new Health Act will enable all who wish to avail themselves of the opportunity to have satisfactory dental treatment free of charge, and this may well prove to be one of the Act's greatest boons as undoubtedly dental hygiene plays a great part in good health. To achieve the aim of rendering the child fit upon leaving school, periodical inspection is essential and conservative treatment, wherever possible and practicable, should be carried out. The extent to which such conservative treatment should be carried out in respect of the deciduous or temporary teeth is a matter of considerable controversy within the dental profession itself. |
7e7b0aa2-eae3-4680-9e63-bce92d8d5da5 | Your dental officers, on the advice of your Senior Dental Officer, adopt a middle-line course, with due regard to the child's age and temperament, the general condition of the teeth and their relationship to the jaws and also the psychological attitude of the parent; hence there can be no hard and fast rule with regard to the filling of the temporary teeth, each case has to be weighed up and treated on its own individuality, with the conservation of the permanent teeth always in mind. It must also be borne in mind that indiscriminate extraction of the temporary teeth leads to irregularities of the permanent teeth, often necessitating orthodontic treatment at a later date. |
e44a0c72-d00c-454b-ab54-3d2cde841539 | 14 The conservation of the first permanent molars presents another difficulty when dealing with the majority of parents; these teeth erupt at the approximate age of six years behind the temporary teeth, and because the child has not lost any of the temporary teeth, the parent frequently refuses to believe that these teeth are indeed second teeth; consequently these very important members of the dentition are frequently permitted to decay even to an advanced stage, when the teeth could in fact be saved by early conservative treatment for many years, or at least until the second permanent molar erupts at the age of twelve years." |
e150f4c5-b498-4936-8260-2e6bf20b4e86 | Table of statistics for the past three years Year 1945 Year 1946 Year 1947 (i) Number of Children inspected by Dental Officers:— (a) Periodic Age-groups :— Age 5 (and 4) 279 441 555 6 136 196 426 7 153 211 380 8 146 223 459 9 98 140 391 10 95 160 509 11 239 372 815 12 200 399 779 13 266 428 718 14 (and 15) 104 242 406 1,716 2,812 5,438 (6) Specials 1,783 1,002 746 (c) Total (Routine and Specials) 3,499 3,814 6,184 (2) Number found to require Treatment 1,099 1,946 3,366 (3) Number actually treated 602 1, |
3ea8b8da-b680-4a95-8e34-34af150c5de6 | 002 2,548 (4) Attendances made by pupils for Treatment 5,444 6,326 10,511 (5) Half-days devoted to:- Inspection 12 21 33 Treatment 548 682 966 Totals 560 703 999 (6) Fillings—Permanent Teeth 2,139 2,166 3,715 Temporary Teeth 365 916 1,282 Totals 2,504 3,082 4,997 (7) Extractions—Permanent Teeth 1,305 871 1,669 Temporary Teeth 3,352 2,564 5,100 Totals 4,657 3,435 6,769 (8) Administrations of general anaesthetics for extractions 2,385 1,696 3,089 (9) Other operations 1,126 1,880 2,873 15 ORTHODONTICS. |
bec4d88f-4009-4bc8-865e-60a3ae3a10c7 | Question:—What is "Orthodontics" and why do you use such an awkward word ? Answer:—"Orthodontics" is the art and science that has to do with keeping the teeth regularly arranged. It is a modern art; it has been properly called Orthodontic because Orthodontic means straight teeth or properly aligned teeth, and up to the present the public have not found any ordinary name for it. Elsewhere in this report, I have asked the Senior Dental Officer to deal with some matters with regard to the question as a whole, but what I want to say is this—that it is most important the teeth, particularly the permanent teeth, should be regular. Unfortunately English people on the whole tend to have jaws which are a little too small for the full number of teeth. John Bull, in many a Continental cartoon, is figured as having his front top teeth sticking out—a very common form of lack of alignment. |
753d762f-9f67-4a5f-990e-bb908cc46da8 | These badly arranged teeth are difficult to keep clean and teeth which are not kept clean are apt to decay; as a matter of fact whilst cleaning teeth with an artificial brush and artificial aids is commendable where necessary, if only teeth were properly aligned and we were to eat the right food, there would be no need to clean the teeth at all. It is necessary to understand how important it is to have teeth properly arranged because the task of putting them right when once they are wrong is difficult and tedious, and only those who recognise how important this work is are likely to persevere through the months, and sometimes years, of treatment which are necessary in order to regulate the teeth. ORTHOPAEDIC CLINIC. Question:—In your last Annual Report I read about an Orthopaedic Clinic. What is an Orthopaedic Clinic ? Answer:—Orthopaedic is a compound of two Greek words which together may be interpreted to mean the art, or science of bringing up children straight. |
d9c440c9-1406-4af2-a60b-9ec04c65ee5c | An Orthopaedic Surgeon, therefore, is a man who tries to bring your child up correctly; he puts right this and that deformity. Orthodontics Extractions 324 Impressions taken for Record Models and Plates 214 Plates fitted 51 Attendances for adjustment 366 Orthopaedic Clinic Attendances Primary examination by Surgeon 56 Re-examination by Surgeon 154 For treatment 5,360 Total 5,570 Treatments 908 Number for treatment Number of treatments 6,681 Admitted to hospital 3 16 Believe it or not, when I was a grown man this work was undertaken by general surgeons who had a special bent towards this sort of work, but who were not full time specialists. "Orthopaedics" therefore may be said to be of recent growth and the general public have not yet found an ordinary name for this sort of work. |
752d5a15-ccef-46ec-b38d-9002e3433a30 | Until the public of England find an ordinary English name for it I must perforce to continue to use the scientific name, but this I shall be glad to discontinue at the earliest possible moment. Mr. A. M. A. Moore, F.R.C.S., Consultant Surgeon in Orthopaedics, holds a clinic at the Manor School, sometimes once a month and, because the work is increasing in Barking, sometimes visits indeed more frequently than this. He has trained staff working with him and this staff carries out his instructions between visits. Where hospital treatment is recommended we do our very best to see this is provided but, as the public are no doubt well aware, hospital beds are scarce and difficult to come by. Actually the Consultant Surgeon visited us on 15 occasions during the year under review, whilst the physiotherapists held 962 sessions. SPEECH THERAPY. Question:—Can stammering be cured ? Answer:—The straight answer is no. |
a0e6e891-c0af-43ee-aaff-3619fb765ae8 | People who stammer suffer definitely from some particular stress or strain which is an hereditary quality and is not likely to be altered any more than the colour of the eyes and the shape of the nose, but this does not mean to say that nothing can be done for stammerers to help them, and there are literally hundreds of people who have stammered very badly but who, nevertheless, address large audiences. The essence of all the various forms of treatment is relaxation. This, together with help in speaking various sounds and, of course, confidence which comes from improvement, all combine to work what appear to be miracles, but the unfortunate stammerer must always be thinking of the advice which has been given, even though it is no longer necessary actually to take lessons. |
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