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5
other institutions, it was evident that the illness was very widespread.
It did not, fortunately, take a very severe form, and most cases
recovered fairly quickly. Towards the end of the year the number of
cases tailed off, although there seemed to be a small secondary wave in
the New Year.
The number of cases of tuberculosis notified was 100, compared
With 108 in the previous year. The number of cases, however, which
came to the knowledge of the Health Department otherwise than by
notification was 70, so that in all 170 cases came to our notice, cornpered
with 165 in 1956. The table on Page 17 shows the way the
death rate of this disease has dropped over the years.
Work under the Food Hygiene Regulations, 1955, which I mentioned
In last year's report, continued in 1957, and considerable headway has
been made. I am happy to say that we received considerable co-operation
from tradespeople, and although it cannot yet be said that the
Regulations are fully complied with in Battersea, the number of premises
which are not complying must now be comparatively few.
In 1957, two pieces of legislation fell to be administered, in part
at least, by the Public Health Department. The Rent Act, 1957, came
into operation and that part of the Act dealing with Disrepair Certificates,
which formerly were dealt with under the Housing Repairs and Rents
Act, 1954, continued to be the responsibility of the Health Department.
The new Act, as far as we were concerned, was more complicated to
administer, but in spite of the large number of applications under this
Act, the work was handled expeditiously, and although a number of
Problems arose, mainly of a legal nature, we were able to deal with
them in conjunction with the legal department.
The second measure which came into force in 1957 was the Clean
Air Act, 1956, particularly those sections relating to Smoke Control
Areas. This has meant a good deal of extra work for the Department,
and I am happy to say that quite good progress has been made. At the
time of writing, application has been made by the Council to the Minister
in connection with the making of a Smoke Control Order, and, in the
It is time, a detailed survey of the area in question is proceeding.
It is hoped, also, to hold a Clean Air Exhibition, in connection particularly
with the first Smoke Control Area, and no doubt I shall be able
to report on this next year. Although it will be some considerable time
before the whole of Battersea will be free from smoke, at least a start
has been made, and it is to be hoped that it will not be too long before
the whole Borough will be a Smoke Control Area.
I feel that I should make some reference to a matter which is
causing grave concern to everyone associated with public health, namely,
the shortage of Public Health Inspectors. As I pointed out last year,
Public health is constantly changing, and as some problems are at
least partially solved, others arise. The two examples cited earlier in
this preface, namely, the new legislation on clean food and clean air,
demonstrate the added emphasis which is being placed on clean food
and pure air, although the necessity for these had always been evident.
The important point is, that in spite of progress from both the social
and health aspects (the two of course are very closely connected) there
will always be problems to be tackled in public health, and there will
always be a demand for qualified and experienced workers in the field