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of years ago. There is still room for legislation as regards the exposure
of fish, fruits and sweets, which are freely exposed in shops and on stalls.
I have made observations in many other Boroughs, and in my
opinion Southwark compares very favourably with any I have seen.
Overcrowding still is our great difficulty, but every effort that can be
made to alleviate it, is being put forward.
The mortality from cancer is high in Southwark, as everywhere, and
is greater in males than in females. Circulars are distributed by the
Health Visitors urging early consultation where suspicious symptoms
occur, for early operation is as yet the only recoguised cure, but in spite
of the splendid hospital facilities we are fortunate in possessing it does
not appear as though they were sufficiently used.
Venereal Disease has a far reaching effect on the general health of
the population, and is being dealt with at a special clinic at Guy's
Hospital, which is open daily to both sexes free of charge and without
publicity. Notices of the hours of attendance are exhibited in our conveniences
and other places, and it is hoped to lessen the incidence and
results of these complaints, which cause suffering and ill health both to
adults and their offspring. The virulence of these diseases is dying down,
and there is not nearly the amount of venereal disease that existed 20
years ago, but there is still a very great deal existing, and concentrated
and combined effort is needed to keep it under control.
One of the chief characteristics of the Borough of Southwark is that
in addition to the usual industries of a large city, the proximity to the
Thames brings into the Borough an enormous amount of foreign produce,
frozen meats, tinned food of all kinds, flour, Chinese egg yolk, and other
edible commodities, all of which have to be supervised and dealt with if
found to be unsound. Two specially trained inspectors are constantly
supervising this trade, and the tables in the report show the enormous
amount of food supervised and the work entailed in that supervision.
Southwark's cold stores and warehouses are some of the most
important in the country.
In addition to the supervision of imported foods there is also the
question of the export of manufactured food products to foreign countries.
Each country has its own regulations, but these products have to be
examined by the Inspector, and certified by myself before they can be
admitted to a foreign country, and as I am appointed Certifying Officer