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of food available combined in some cases with increases in price has probably
encouraged the housewife to be more critical. The standards in poplar however
are low and this is partly the result of the sale of food from stalls in the
street. Open air stalls in the street are basically unsuitable for the sale
of food which, however well the stall is constructed or managed is bound to be
contaminated to a greater or less extent by the dust and filth of the road. The
standard of hygiene which can be insisted upon must be based upon the standard
of the stalls and this standard is appallingly low for shops but it is impossible
to enforce different standards on the different sides of the same pavement, A
special market place where lavatories and washing facilities are available and
where the stalls are away from the traffic is still not entirely satisfactory
for the sale of food but it is perhaps a reasonable compromise. In the meantime
food standards will remain low in Poplar whilst trading on the streets continues.
I am again indebted to the Divisional Medical Officer. Dr. G.O. Mitchell
for the information given concerning the personal health services which are
administered by the County Council and I would like to express my thanks to him
and his staff, particularly in the Home Help section, for the services given to
the residents of Poplar and for the assistance given to my Department.
My thanks are due to the Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee
for their help and encouragement throughout the year and to the other chief
officers of the Council and their staffs for their assistance and advice.
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