[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Edmonton].

  • Edmonton (London, England). Urban District Council.
Date:
[1917?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Credit: [Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Edmonton]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    11/92 (page 9)
    9 foreword. Local Conditions arising from the Great War Edmonton has become accustomed to war conditions, which have brought, at least, the compensation of high wages and constant employment. However, this long-continued struggle between the nations will leave its mark on the civilian population of Europe, especially the women, for the natural emotions are fully engaged, particularly those of anxiety, love and fear. To these are added the worry of food supplies, and the strain of over-work, often carried out in places poorly lit, inadequately ventilated, and short of sanitary requirements. The birth-rate is, of course, greatly affected by the absence of fathers, and it is further affected by an unusual number of miscarriages and abortions. On the 31st August, 1915, my Council appointed an Economy Com mittee, composed of nine members of the Council, to enquire into the working of the Council, with the object of reducing and re-organising the same to meet the present conditions brought about by the war. This was in response to the notorious economy circular of the Local Government Board, dated 4th August, 1915. It presented interim reports, dated 24th September and 22nd October. On January 25th, 1916, it presented a final report, advocating important changes, estimated to save £904 yearly, but the report was negatived by a large majority. The Edmonton Tribunal. It first, met on December 1st, 1915. It deals with voluntarily attested men and cases under the Military Service Act, 1916. On February 9th it was ordered to consist of 12 members instead of 7. As before, two members are not Councillors. Our Clerk, Mr. F. W. Claxton, was appointed Clerk of the Tribunal, with further assistance in his depart ment. In March, Mr. G. Switzer was appointed to represent the Trades and Labour Council. Conscientious Objectors. Ill May the Council declined to employ them on any terms. Enemy Aliens. In June the Council passed a resolution urging the Government to intern all enemy aliens, and this was sent to the Prime Minister and the local M.P. Food Prices, Milk. In May the Council sent a resolution to the Prime Minister and the President of the Local Government Board, urging the Government to control the price of milk, in the interests of the public health and child welfare, suggesting particularly that the slaughter of young milch