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metropolis, and spending some hours with the Government's prescribed analyst. In this way
they prepared themselves to carry out their responsibilities under the Act.
Rag Flock, by reason of its cheapness, is still one of the most frequently used filling
materials. It is produced by washing old rags in cold water and, after drying, tearing them
up into small fragments. The need is therefore apparent for sampling rag flock regularly.
Barbers' and Hairdressers' Establishments.
During 1952 an inspection was made of all barbers' and hairdressing establishments
within the borough to ascertain if bye-laws were required similar to those operating in certain
areas outside the Metropolis.

It must not be thought from the above figures that every barber's shop suffers from one
or more defect. In fact in the majority of cases where there was one defect there were many,
but by and large the barbers of the borough have generally a reasonable understanding of
the requirements of hygiene in the conduct of their trade. I would go further. The trade itself
is aware of these requirements and is anxious to see them adopted, and to this effect has prepared
a code of hygiene, compiled by the Incorporated Guild of Hairdressers, the National Hairdressers
Federation, the Hairdressers Registration Council and other major hairdressing organisations.
Infectious Diseases.
The figures for infectious diseases will be found on page 32.
Measles and Whooping Cough.
There were over 1,000 notifications of measles and approximately 250 of whooping cough.
These two diseases remain epidemic in the borough and in the country as a whole. They are
more serious in severity and fatality in the younger age groups, but I think it is true to say
that over the past few years we have seen a milder type of attack. In fact the mortality from
these two diseases in the borough shows a definite decline over the years. This may be due to a
less virulent type of infection. Taking an optimistic point of view, however, it may be due to a
healthier childhood with an increased resistance to disease and a better understanding and
education of parents in the care of children suffering from these diseases, thus preventing
complications.
Scarlet Fever.
There were notified during the year 145 cases of scarlet fever. Our attitude to this
disease has changed during the past few years, for it appears to be less serious and less prone
to spread.
Scarlet fever was first made a notifiable infectious disease in 1889. Yearly records
in St. Pancras are, however, available as far back as 1856, the figures presumably being obtained
by a voluntary arrangement with the medical practitioners.