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Legal proceedings were instituted in 19 instances for offences
under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, or for contraventions of
the Bye-laws.
FOOD SUPERVISION. Five hundred samples were taken during the year,
of which 7 (1.4 per cent.) were found to be adulterated. Two
hundred and fifty-eight of these samples were of milk, and 4 (1.5 Per
cent.) were found to be not genuine. Legal proceedings were instituted-
in' three instances in respect of the sale of milk containing added
water. The summonses were dismissed under the Probation of Offenders
Act.
The weight of diseased and unsound food of all kinds surrendered
by tradesmen and dealers for destruction was approximately 18½ tons.
No slaughtering of animals took place in the Borough during the
year.
Four hundred and eighty-four inspections of the 116 dairies and
milkshops were made, and 4298 inspections of food purveyors' premises,
which number approximately 1,000.
Licences issued under the Milk (Special Designations) Orders
numbered 61 (46 in respect of "Pasteurised" and 15 in respect of
"Tuberculin Tested" milk). No samples of "Pasteurised" or of
"Tuberculin Tested" milk were taken during the year.
In August a slight outbreak of food poisoning occurred amongst
the patients in St Mary's Hospital, four cases being notified, one of
which proved fatal. In all the cases the bacillus aertrycke was
isolated. An exhaustive investigation was made, but it was not
possible to ascertain the source of the infection.
RATS AND MICE. Mr. Harrison, the Food Inspector and Rodent Officer,
has made the following report for the year:-
"Where rat infestations were found to be present in food premises
situated in the Borough they were only of a 'minor secondary' degree
This condition also applied in the case of mice. Where infestations
were found the usual methods of baiting and trapping were employed,
whilst in certain cases repair to drains, rat proofing, and removal
of lumber, etc, were found necessary.
For the last three months of the year, in accordance with an
instruction from the Infestation Branch of the Ministry of Food,
a publicity campaign was carried on throughout the Borough. The
general public was asked to report the presence of any rats to
the Public Health Office or to any of the wardens' posts, and as
a result 183 complaints were received.
In addition the sewers were baited during the week commencing
the 13th December, 1943, under a Direction served on the Council
by the Ministry of Food. On four consecutive days pre-baiting
took place at 494 entrances and on the fifth day poison baiting
was done. Altogether about 487 lbs. of poison bait was used and
the estimated number of rats killed was 4755. The executive part
of this work was carried out by the Sewers Section, Borough
Engineer's Department, whilst I myself provided the materials for
the baits, superintended the mixing of the baits, and acted
throughout in an advisory capacity."
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE. Miss M. MacLean and Miss E.M.Candler,
Health Visitors, continued to be employed with the First Aid Post
Service and the Rehousing Department, respectively. The staff
engaged on health visiting at the end of the year numbered 12 (including
the Superintendent and 3 temporary health visitors).
Home visiting. First visits to children under 1 year. 1236
Revisits 9664
10900
Visits to children ages 1-5 years 11214
First visits to expectant mothers 1074
Revisits 1236
2310