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inform the Registrar whether he is satisfied that the child was really
still born, or whether there are any suspicious circumstances attaching
to the case.
In a circular dated August 15th, 1927, the Ministry of Health drew
attention to the provisions of the Cremation Act, 1902, and the Cremation
Regulations, 1920, the former of which provides that no cremation
of human remains shall take place except in an approved Crematorium,
and the latter define the expression "human remains" as including the
remains of a still born child; it is thus made clear that such remains
cannot lawfully be disposed of by burning in a hospital furnace or
incinerator.
Underground Rooms.
Section 96 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, gives the
standard to which such rooms must conform, if separately occupied.
During the year 1927 none such were found to be illegally occupied.
Public Health (Imported Food) Regulationr, 1925.
Part II, Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9. Part III, Section 2.
The actual wharf frontage on the Thames-side appertaining to
Deptford is small, being about half-a-mile in length. During the year
various consignments of food-stuffs have been examined by the Medical
Officer and the Inspector at the wharves on this frontage.
On two occasions consignments of packed cheese were detained;
in one case 288 lbs. of one parcel was surrendered to us for destruction,
and in the other case the cheese was fit for food, but had been damaged
during the voyage owing to bad packing.
This parcel was allowed to pass on the understanding that it was
re-conditioned: accordingly it was consigned to a city firm.
The Public Health Department of the City of London was notified
and it supervised the process of re-conditioning at a factory within the
City.
Cases of bubonic plague occurred upon two grain-carrying ships.
We were notified by tha Port Sanitary Authority that the grain to
be unloaded here was to be used for cattle feeding. This was done,
the destinations of the various consignments of grain were ascertained,
and the authorities concerned notified.
Men working on these ships and living in the Borough were kept
under observation during the incubation period.