View report page

9
I would like to draw particular attention to the work which
is being done in connection with Underground Rooms, and to
which detailed reference is made in the body of the report (pages
92-94). It is now illegal for Underground Rooms to be used
either for living or for sleeping purposes. These "Cellar
Dwellings" (as they were named in the older Acts), situated three
feet or more below the level of the adjoining road, are, because
of their position, invariably damp, dark and badly ventilated.
For the most part they were originally intended as sculleries,
store-places, and the like, but as a result of the house being converted into flats, these rooms are called upon for use for living
purposes. Surely it is not too much to expect that the incoming
tenant should be protected from the dampness, defective natural
lighting and ventilation, by the provision of adequate damp-proof
courses, concrete over site and areas—as set out in the Regulations
approved by the Minister of Health governing Underground
Rooms.
5. Prevalence and Control of Infectious Disease.
Full details are given in the body of the report on the outbreak of measles which occurred during the year. These outbreaks occur with unfailing regularity every second year, but on
this occasion, although including 918 cases, was fortunately in
the main, of a milder type, causing only two deaths.
Sixteen cases of Enteric Fever (Typhoid) occurred during the
year, four of which proved fatal. The importance of the compulsory pasteurisation of milk, and the advantage of preventive
inoculation against Typhoid for those contemplating holidaying
abroad are referred to on pages 128 and 129.
7. Air Raid Precautions.
A comprehensive scheme has been drawn up by the Chief
Officers of the Borough Council representing many months of
work, with the object of making every possible provision for the
safety of the inhabitants of the Borough in case of air raids.
The Medical Officer of Health is concerned in particular with that
part of the Scheme relating to the provision of First Aid Posts,