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7
I have stated already in these remarks that one of the essentials of
health is good wholesome food. It will be seen that 504 samples of food
were analysed and the appropriate steps were taken where any defect
in composition was found. In addition, 90 samples of milk and ice-cream
were submitted to bacteriological test.
The work in connection with the Fair at Hampstead Heath which
was commenced by your Public Health Department nearly 3 years
ago was continued during 1950, and I feel sure that you would wish me
to pay tribute to the co-operation of the stallholders who sell food at
the Fairs which are held at Easter, Whitsun and August Bank Holiday.
Reports have been submitted to the Public Health Committee after
each Fair, but a summary is not out of place in this Annual Report.
We have now secured that all food stalls at each of the three fairgrounds
have been centrally placed away from the immediate vicinity of the
contaminating dirt and dust caused by the Fair machinery. All such
stalls are now situated within a few feet of an adequate clean water
supply which has been provided at our request. Moreover, the stalls
are now easier to supervise. Arrangements have been made to deal with
refuse and the stallholders are co-operating with us in securing the
protection of food from dust and flies, the careful handling of food
products, and the cleansing and sterilising of utensils. Eleven samples
of ice-cream were sent for bacteriological examination at the Easter
fair of this year and all of them were found to be Grade 1, that is, the
best of the 4 grades into which ice-cream is divided after the appropriate
bacteriological test.
We have also conducted enquiries into shellfish and conditions under
which it is packed, stored and sold.
We are obtaining further particulars as to the conditions under
which food is stored before being brought to the Fairground and for this
we are indebted to much help from the Public Health Departments of
neighbouring Boroughs. Sanitary conditions generally on the Heath
still leave much to be desired, but I think a start has been made and
progress achieved in improving the Fairground of Hampstead Heath
and in making it worthy from a health point of view of its history and
fame.
I would wish to express my thanks to the Chairmen of the various
Committees whose help I have received, to the members of the Public
Health Committee in particular, and to my colleagues for their help
during the months since my appointment to Hampstead.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
DENNIS GEFFEN,
Medical Officer of Health.
(6428)
A8