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7
Sale of Food and Drugs. Samples taken for analysis were as follows
Formal Samples 417 (12 adulterated)
Informal Samples 332 ( 8 adulterated)
The adulterations duly reported and the appropriate action taken by the Committee.
Basement Bakehouses. Under the provisions of the Factories Act, 1937, a special
survey was made of the 20 basement bakehouses in the borough. 3 were closed and
17 now reasonably comply with the special requirements of the Council.
Unsound Food Seized and Surrendered. In connection with the continuous inspection
made of meat and other foods, including offals and bacon deposited or exposed for
the purpose of sale within the borough, a total amount of 256 tons was surrendered
or seized.
SECTION "D" - INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES
Notifiable Diseases. A total of 700 cases of the notifiable diseases were
reported in the year. Of these, 293 cases were removed to hospital. The
principal diseases notified were
Whooping Cough 267
Pulmonary Tuberculosis 84
Scarlet Fever 70
Ophthalmia Neonatorum 21
Measles 96
Diphtheria 58
Acute Primary Pneumonia 40
Disinfection. 1,158 premises were disinfected following the occurrence of
infectious disease and also upon request by persons who had found reasonable cause
for desiring disinfection of their premises or effects.
Vaccination. The Vaccination Officer reports that notices of 1,764 births were
received from Registrars: 1,319 were referred to other districts, leaving 445
Finsbury births. A total of 463 certificates of exemption were granted. The
number of personal visits made during the year was 587.
Tuberculosis. 81 new cases of pulmonary and 11 cases of non-pulmonary
tuberculosis were notified or came to knowledge through other sources. The total
number of deaths from all forms of tuberculosis was 43, the death rate being 83
per 1000 of the estimated population.
Tuberculosis Dispensary. The number of new cases examined was 276. 76 of these
were definitely tuberculous. 70 contacts were also examined but in none of these
was tuberculosis diagnosed. The number of attendances at the Dispensary was 1,220.
1,149 visits were made by the Nurse. The Tuberculosis Officer visited 22 patients
at their homes. 195 specimens of sputum were examined and 644 X-Ray examinations
were made in connection therewith. The total number of cases on the register at
the 31st December 1939 was 193. Other activities in connection with the control
of tuberculosis, such as artificial pneumothorax treatment, grants of extra
nourishment and dental treatment (given through the Council's Dental Clinic) were
continued.
SECTION 'E" - SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES &c ADMINISTRATION
During the year 17,857 inspections (including re-inspections) were
carried out by the Sanitary Inspectors. Included in this total number were 865
inspections on complaint of nuisance and 161 with reference to infectious disease.
The number of inspections of Factories, Workshops and Workplaces was
2,419. Defects were found and remedied in 356 instances.
1,216 Intimation Notices and 184 Statutory Notices under the Public
Health (London) Act, 1936 were served during the year.