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In appropriate cases the unsound food was disposed of for
animal feeding either through the Salvage Division of the Ministry
of Food or this Council's Salvage Scheme.
3. Inspection of Shops and Stores.
It has not yet been found possible to revert to frequent routine
inspections of butchers' shops and food stores which were a
feature of the work prior to 1939. This is due mainly to increases
in the amount of food requiring inspection, the increase in sales
and manufacture of ice-cream necessitating additional sampling
and following-up work. Nevertheless, spot inspections have been
carried out and, where, during inspections of food there is evidence
of unsatisfactory conditions in premises, a thorough inspection
of the premises has been made.
In one instance the Council cancelled the registration of a purveyor
of milk. An appeal by the defendant was struck out, the
purveyor having later disposed of his business.
Scabies and Verminous Persons
Cleansing Centre.
The scheme for adapting one of the Council's disused mortuaries
as a cleansing station is still in abeyance owing to the direction of
all labour and materials to the housing need. Lambeth cases are
cleansed either at the Battersea or Southwark cleansing station on
payment by the Lambeth Council. The service is free to the
individual.
A total of 1,076 persons were treated at the cleansing station and
given 1,884 baths, compared with 1,690 persons treated in the
previous year.
There has been a noticeable fall in the number of cases of scabies
notified, 310, compared with 758 in 1946 and 851 in 1945. More
settled conditions of life and modern treatments have both
conduced to this end. Head lice are now much less commonly
found owing to the comparative ease with which infestation can
be combatted with preparations of D.D.T. and the like. Body
lice infestation is now rare outside the tramp class who can, it
seems, always be relied upon if specimens are wanted.
Rat Infestation
During the year 1947, 829 complaints have been dealt with.
Of these, 538 were found to be brown (common) rats, 36 black
(ship) rats, 124 mice and 1.31 were found to be not justified. 963
baitings were carried out and in 97 cases defective or disused