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problem as a national one could be considerably ameliorated. The
duration of the disease and the lack of housing accommodation make
this difficult. On the other hand there is much that the tuberculous
patient can do to prevent spreading the disease himself, provided he
understands the nature of the disease and the methods by which it may
be contracted. The work of the Chest Clinic and the Public Health
Department is directed towards these objects. To achieve earlier
diagnosis Mass X-ray of as large a percentage of the population as
possible is attempted. It will be seen that 2,061 persons attended for
X-ray during the year. Of these, 7 were found to require further medical
advice and one was advised to attend for a further examination.
I would once again refer to the needs of the aged and infirm persons
in the Borough. Week by week our attention is called to the problem of
some aged person who needs help either to continue to live in his own
home, or on account of increasing age or illness, needs admission to
hospital. In every case a visit is paid by the appropriate members of
your Department and we have been able to bring considerable help and
comfort to many. I would like to acknowledge the excellent help I have
received from the Home Help Service of the London County Council and
the various voluntary associations in the Borough who are concerned
with the care of the aged. I have visited the various Darby and Joan
Clubs in Hampstead and I would stress how valuable they are in bringing
interest and in relieving the loneliness of the older residents of the
Eorough. They are in many cases the major social contact and recreation
of those they serve. It is through the Home Help Service, the District
Nurse, the British Red Cross Meals Service, the Darby and Joan Clubs
and other similar associations that it is possible to keep the aged in the
surroundings of their choice and make it possible for them to live a life
of comfort and interest and to obviate entirely, or for many years, the
need for removal to an institution. I am of the opinion that this should
be our object, for it is the usual desire of the individual concerned.
Admittedly all these services cost money, but they cost far less than the
maintenance of an elderly person in a hospital or institution and what
is of equal importance, they provide what is wanted and not what others
are apt to think is best for the old person concerned. It is a fact that
in old age individuals cling with vigour to the surroundings, neighbourhood,
and in fact the premises to which they have been accustomed in
their earlier years.
In the pages of this report will be found a detailed description of the
work carried out in connection with the Hygiene of Food Premises. I
use the word " detailed " on purpose because it is often in the attention
to detail that improvement in food hygiene must be sought. It may be,
for example, lack of attention to detail that causes an outbreak of food
poisoning. Over 3,000 visits were made to premises where food is prepared
or sold and a long list will be found indicating improvements
which it was possible to effect in these premises. I would assure the
Council that we have the help and co-operation of every type of person
associated with the food industry and an attempt is made to meet with
the requirements of your Inspectors in practically every case. It is very
seldom that we find lack of co-operation. This applies not only to the