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iii
for 1958. The absence of a suitable test which would ensure that
adequate pasteurisation had been carried out has been a difficulty but
it is understood that this has now been satisfactorily overcome.
Towards the end of the year an increased number of notifications
of dysentery were received. Here again investigation disclosed a high
rate of spread within the family. As I indicated in my report last
year a high standard of personal hygiene (and this applies especially
to young children and to school children) is required to control this
highly infectious condition.
Health Education
The highlight in regard to Health Education was the 'Cleaner Air
in Southwark' Exhibition which is referred to in the body of this
report and was held during the month of April. The exhibition aroused
a great deal of interest in this very Important subject. The exhibition
included a most valuable section on Home Safety. In addition the
Council took part in the Annual Home Safety Week organised by the
London County Council and a great deal of "Check that Fall" publicity
material provided by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
was displayed and distributed.
Publicity material dealing with the many aspects of Pood Hygiene
was also issued to Catering Establishments and every opportunity was
taken by the Public Health Inspectors to bring home the importance of
these various health matters. Large quantities of leaflets on the
prevention of infectious disease, with special reference to the
alimentary infections, were distributed to parents complementing the
constant health education carried out in schools on this subject by
the Education Authority.
Mortuary and Coroner's Court
The accommodation at St. George's Churchyard which houses the
mortuary and Coroner's Court, serving in addition to Southwark, the
Metropolitan Boroughs of Bermondsey, Lambeth and Camberwell, was the
subject of a report to the Public Health Committee. The modernisation
and extension of the premises was under active consideration at the
end of the year.
Radioactivity
The question of radioactivity both in relation to the radioactive
contamination of food and to the hazards of radioactivity generally