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Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials Act, 1951.—This Act came into operation on 1stNovember,
1951. It is designed to ensure that filling materials used in upholstery, etc., comply with prescribed
conditions of cleanliness. Premises using filling materials have to be registered and premises
where rag flock is manufactured or stored have to be licensed. It is an offence to sell articles containing
unclean materials. Certain records have to be kept on registered and licensed premises and authorised
officers of a local authority have powers to enter, inspect and take samples. Under this Act 5 premises
in the Borough have been registered and the Sanitary Inspectors made 12 visits of inspection.

The baths waters are treated by continuous filtration and chlorination. At Hounslow Baths the
breakpoint system of chlorination has been installed. The advantage of this system, which is more
expensive than the usual process and requires close and skilled supervision is the stronger and more rapid
bactericidal action and this is of special importance at times of high bathing load. While baths' staff
do everything to maintain a "safe" standard of bath water the bathers could assist very materially by the
observance of strict personal hygiene. During the year 9 samples of baths water were taken and all were
found to be satisfactory.
Verminous Premises and Articles.—Action in regard to one house had to be taken under Sections
83 and 84 of the Public Health Act, 1936.
Verminous Persons.—Under the provisions of Section 85 of the Public Health Act, 1936, four
verminous persons were cleansed. During the year 294 children in attendance at schools in the Borough
were found to be verminous and because of the failure of parents to take the necessary action 112 of these
children had to be cleansed by the School Health Department.
Louse infestation is much too prevalent and is due solely to lack of personal cleanliness. Reluctance
to wash and comb hair has never been an adequate excuse and is less so now when preparations can be
obtained from any pharmacist which when applied to the hair do not reveal their presence by odour or
otherwise but do kill lice.
Pet Animals' Act, 1951.—This Act came into operation on 1st April, 1952. It is designed to
regulate the sale of pet animals and the main provision is that no person shall keep a pet shop except under
the authority of a licence granted in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Before issuing a licence
regard has to be had to the need for securing.
(a) that animals will at all times be kept in accommodation suitable as respects size, temperature,
lighting, ventilation and cleanliness;
(b) that animals will be adequately supplied with suitable food and drink and (so far as necessary)
visited at suitable intervals;
(c) that animals, being mammals, will not be sold at too early an age;
(d) that all reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent the spread among animals of infectious
diseases;
(e) that appropriate steps will be taken in case of fire or other emergency.
Under the provisions of this Act 5 premises in the Borough have been licensed.
INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD
Milk.—During the year 141 inspections were made at dairies and retail purveyors premises. Under
the Milk (Special Designation) Regulations 39 licences for the sale of " tuberculin tested " milk, 42 for the
sale of " pasteurised " milk and 42 for the sale of "sterilised" milk were issued.
Complaints of milk being supplied in dirty bottles or in bottles containing extraneous matter continue
to be received. Though the number is small in relation to vast issue to the public the Department
continues to bring to the notice of the trade the importance of clean methods of handling and retailing
milk. The Public could also give more attention to this matter. Bottles should not be returned to the milkman
before being well rinsed in cold water. Milk remaining in bottles draws flies, provides a good growing
medium for germs and may give the bottles a bad odour. Bottles in which milk has dried are hard to
wash afterwards. Milk bottles should not be used for purposes other than to hold milk. Everyone is
aware of the misuse of milk bottles, but few consider how difficult it may be to clean these bottles properly.
Milk retailers do take care, but there is always a danger that residues following misuse may escape detection
and the bottle be refilled with milk.
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