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year. The illness was usually mild and more of a nuisance infection than a direct
risk to life in the vast majority of cases. However, there may be a risk to the very
young and the elderly and, although there was no direct evidence that the form of
dysentery which occurred during the year was food-borne, the possibility of an
explosive food-borne outbreak of dysentery had always to be borne in mind and
enquiries made and precautions taken accordingly.
During 1953 I recorded a Food Hygiene Exhibition being held, which was on
show for three days. In 1954, approval was given for the holding of a major Health
Exhibition at the Town Hall for a week in early October. A very considerable
number of members of the public, as well as professional groups, saw the Exhibition,
the basic objective being to inform the public and to bring more directly to their
notice the preventive, and some of the curative services which are available to them,
with more detailed information in regard to the nature of these services. This
Exhibition required the Co-operation of a very considerable number of statutory
organisations, both local and national, voluntary organisations and, of course, very
much individual effort. Without this interest, which included the personal enthusiasm
of many members of the Public Health Department's staff, it would not have
been possible for so many exhibits of interest and educational value to be placed
on view.
I have from year to year had to record some increase in the services dealing
with elderly persons. Minor, but useful additions during 1954 included the commencement
of the Cleansing and Laundry Service for the personal clothing and
bedding of elderly persons, where such bedding and clothing is liable to become
soiled ; and also the development of the service for elderly persons who are so
enfeebled that they are normally unable either to be cleansed at the Council's
Cleansing Station or even to visit the Public Baths. Such persons may be cleansed
in their own homes if they so desire by a staff visitor.
I have again to thank the staff of the Department during the year, in particular
Mr. E. J. Sharp, Chief Clerk, and his colleagues who gave so much of their own
time and their personal interest to the arrangements and preparation of material for
the Public Health Exhibition ; and Mr. W. C. Bartlett, Chief Sanitary Inspector, for
his co-operation during the time when the work of the Sanitary Inspectors has been
so greatly hampered by deficient establishment.
I have also once again to thank the Members and Chairmen, Councillors A. J.
Rogers and F. W. Byrne, of the Public Health and Housing Committees respectively,
being the principal Committees of the Council dealing with the work of the Public
Health Department.
V. FREEMAN,
Medical Officer of Health.