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2
One hopes that the Ministry will soon prescribe Regulations calling
for the protection of fruit, fish, etc., in the same way. The wrapping
of bread will, no doubt, yet become compulsory, but the cost of a
machine for this purpose is at present a genuine difficulty which few
"small" bakers can face. An unsatisfactory matter is that in which
fish is sometimes surrendered voluntarily to us as being unsound. A
local dealer buys at Billingsgate Market and later calls upon the
Inspector to condemn part of his purchase. One cannot help wondering
what price the dealer paid at the market; it is a pity that this unsoundness
cannot be detected before the sale is made.
Statistical returns for the year are most satisfactory, the Infantile
Mortality rate was 56 per 1,000 births registered; this is a record, the
previous best being 59 in 1923. The corresponding rate for England
and Wales was 70, and 64 for the County of London. The General
death rate was 11.3, second only to 11.1 for 1923; the rate for
England and Wales was 11.6, the same as that for the County of
London.
During 1926, certain new Acts and Orders came into operation:—
1. The Milk and Dairies Order, on 1st October.
2. The Public Health (Ophthalmia Neonatorum) Regulations, on
1st October.
3. The Public Health (Notification of Puerperal Fever and Puerperal
Pyrexia) Regulations, on 1st October.
4. The London County Council (General Powers) Act, on 4th August.
5. The London County Council By-laws regarding Tenement
Houses (approved by the Ministry of Health on 5th March).
Last year attention was drawn to housing conditions in the Borough,
and in the course of this Report some further observations will be
found; there appears to be little prospect of any tangible amelioration
of the widespread overcrowding. Some applicants have been fortunate
in their application for a house at Downham or Becontree, but what is
mainly wanted is the provision of housing accommodation near at hand
at an economic rent.
Towards the end of the year a wave of Influenza swept through the
Borough. In all cases reported to us, through different channels,
enquiry was made into the home and nursing conditions so that a home
help and nurse could be provided if required.