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6
virtually remained unchanged. Clearly while tuberculosis still remains
a problem, it has proportionately become less so, while lung cancer as
a threat to public health has become more serious. In spite of the
advances that have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis,
there are no grounds for undue satisfaction, and it is unlikely
that we shall see the end of this disease in the near or medium-term
future, although it is not too much to hope that if the present trend
continues this happy state will be achieved in the life-time of many
people living today. As to lung cancer and chronic bronchitis, the
immediate outlook is not hopeful. Associated as they are in differing
degree with heavy cigarette smoking and atmospheric pollution, social
and environmental factors not capable of quick and easy change, it is to
be expected that in the years immediately ahead, there will be more
deaths from these diseases. No doubt, if and when heavy cigarette
smoking becomes less ingrained as a social habit, there will be fewer
cases of lung cancer. In the same way, as clean air campaigns in large
cities get under way, the bronchitis outlook will be improved. The
greatest hope in the immediate future lies in early diagnosis of lung
cancer cases and more research into the physiological causes and means
of prevention and treatment of chronic bronchitis.
In connection with this all-important subject of atmospheric pollution,
it is pleasing to report that the Council's first smoke control area
declared during the year has now been confirmed by the Minister, and
will come into operation in October, 1959. Work is in progress in
approving the adaptations to fireplaces in the area, and preliminary work
will shortly commence on the next area to be declared a smoke control
area. Plans also are now being drawn up for a period of about 8 years,
which it is felt is as far ahead as can be usefully foreseen. It is hoped and
expected that conversion of Battersea into a complete smoke control
area will proceed with energy.
The routine work of the Public Health Inspectors has continued.
handicapped, as I have pointed out in previous years, by the shortage of
staff. Nevertheless, headway has been made in implementing the Food
Hygiene Regulations, and in general it can now be said that the Rcgulations
are being reasonably complied with.
Housing work continued in 1958, particularly the representation
individual unfit houses, and in 1958 work under the Rent Act, 1957, also
continued. Apart from the inspection of property by the Public Health
Inspectors, this Act involves a large volume of office and administrative
routine, to ensure that the various procedures under the Act are being
complied with.
During 1958, the Council decided that the Health Committee should
be charged with the responsibility for considering matters relating to
home accidents, and a number of reports to the Committee on this
subject have been made. For the first time this year, I have devoted a
small section of the Report to accidents in the home. It is not Possible
to obtain absolutely accurate figures, but from data obtained from the
London Ambulance Service, it has been possible to calculate for 1956,
1957 and 1958 some figures which I think are reasonably accurate and it
is hoped to continue this over the years, so that we shall have a record of
home accidents in our population. The measures most likely to reduce
these accidents are educative, through the medium of our Public Health
Inspectors, Health Visitors and other workers.