View report page

5
the previous year. There were no cases of Diphtheria, but one case
of Poliomyelitis was removed to Hospital. 16 cases of Food Poisoning
were reported and involved persons in various age groups. Particulars
regarding Food Poisoning will be found in the main body of the Report.
417 specimens were sent to the Laboratory at County Hall, and
once again, I would like to express my appreciation to Dr. Tomlinson
and his staff for the help they have given with these examinations.
During the year, 3122 enquiries were dealt with at the Public
Health Department counter and covered a wide variety of subjects. In
addition, posters were displayed in the department and on the Council
notice boards and leaflets were distributed throughout the Council's
establishments to which the public has access. The matters dealt
with were varied and included Diphtheria Immunisation, Influenza,
Accidents in the Home, .atmospheric Pollution and Food Hygiene.
Throughout the year, the investigation into atmospheric Pollution
continued and readings for the full year will be found in the Statistical
part of the report. In addition daily readings have been taken,
showing the extent of pollution in the borough.
In this connection, the Public Health Committee have discussed at
great length the question of the supply and burning of smokeless fuels
in premises in the borough. Difficulties have been experienced in
connection with the supply in small quantities suitable for the limited
storage accommodation in many Council and privately owned dwellings.
This situation has now been remedied and coal merchants are now arranging
for smokeless fuels to be delivered in small quantities in order to
solve the storage problem.
There still remains the widespread problem of adequate supplies
of this type of fuel, particularly when heavy demands are made during
bad weather.
The Clean Food Campaign continued throughout the year with the
display of posters, lectures and film shows. A series of six monthly
film shows, the first of which took place in October, included a full
length feature film, as well as short films on food and other health
matters. These shows were so well attended that the Public Health
Committee has decided that a further series should commence in October
1955.
Further details of the Campaign, including a survey of food
premises will be found in the main body of the report.
319 samples of Food, Drugs and other articles were taken under the
Food and Drugs Act, 1938, of which 141 were formal samples and 178 were
informal samples. None of these samples was adulterated.