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of infectious diseases is due to the increased incidence of measles, an epidemic of this disease
occurring in alternate years. The table of infectious diseases in the Statistical Section of
this Report will show the rise and fall in numbers over the past five years.
822 specimens were sent for examination to the Laboratory at County Hall and I would like
to express my appreciation to Dr.Tomlinson and his staff for their help.
3,112 enquiries were attended to at the Public Health Department counter, and these are
analysed under Summary of Enquiries. Health Education was again carried out by means of poster
display and by the distribution of informative leaflets.
The investigation into Atmospheric Pollution continued throughout the year. Under the
Clean Air Act, 1956 a scheme was prepared for a Smoke Control Area in the northern part of the
Borough covering approximately 150 acres and including over 2,000 dwellings. Provisional approval
to the scheme was given by the Minister of Housing and Local Government and a detailed survey
of the area was commenced. The Minister gave his official confirmation to the scheme in June,
1958 and the Order becomes operative on the 1st January 1959. Two further areas are receiving
consideration, one of which has received the provisional approval of the Minister.
113 samples of Food, Drugs and Other Articles were taken under the Food and Drugs Act,
1955 of which 45 were formal samples and 68 were informal samples. No sample was found to be
adulterated. A list of the various commodities taken for analysis will be found at the end of
this Report.
Complaints of foreign bodies in food were received in the Department and particulars of
these are to be found in the food section of the Report.
Dr. C.F. Stott, the Deputy Medical Officer of Health, has continued to assist the Department
throughout the year.
I wish to express my thanks to His Worship the Mayor and to the Chairman and Members of
the Public Health Committee for the help and support they have given me during 1957.
My thanks are due also to the staff of the Public Health Department for their assistance
throughout the year.
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH