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6.
Notifications of Infectious Diseases totalled 680 as compared with
1,039 for 1957, the reduction being due, mainly, to a fall in the number
of cases of measles from 783 in 1957 to 400 in 1958. 2 cases of poliomyelitis
occurred, one aged 1 year, and the other aged 8 years; both
cases were removed to hospital. 44 new cases of respiratory Tuberculosis
were notified during 1958, and although this figure is higher than
the 35 cases in 1957, the deaths from this cause fell from 6 to 2.
1,860 bacteriological specimens were sent for examination to the
laboratory at County Hall, and I wish to place on record my sincere
thanks to Dr.Tomlinson and his staff for their invaluable help and
assistance.
Food hygiene education is steadily continuing. As an addition to
the legal requirements, it is found that persuasion pays dividends and
plays a considerable part in effecting improvements in methods of food
handling and distribution. The majority of food traders now realise
that a clean shop, assistants in clean overalls, protection of displayed
commodities against contamination, and all the other common-sense aspects
of clean food handling is noticed and appreciated by the public and
results in increased custom.
The standard of food premises in Stoke Newington is generally good
and, in some cases, excellent. There are, however, a few cases where
conditions need still further improvement.
154 Samples under the Food & Drugs Act were taken during the year.
Two informal samples of milk were found to be deficient in milk fat,
but subsequent formal samples from the same purveyors were satisfactory.
Stoke Newington continued to be in the forefront in its application
of the Clean Air Act. Smoke Control Order No.2 was made and submitted
to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government for confirmation, and
preliminary work was commenced in respect of a third Order. A map showing
the areas affected is on page 24. The co-operation of the members
of the public within the smoke control areas has been of considerable
value in effecting the carrying out of all the detailed work and inspections
necessary in such projects.
During the year, Mr. C. Cunningham, who had been a Public Health
Inspector with this Council for 27 years, retired. During this period
he gave loyal and conscientious service to Stoke Newington and we
regretted to see him go.
I wish to extend my thanks to the Chairman and Members of the
Public Health Committee for their generous support, and to the Town
Clerk and the Chief Officers of other Departments for their friendly
and courteous co-operation.