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In addition to the discovery of shaving-brush infection in London it transpired that other cases
of anthrax due to a similar cause were reported in the provinces and in Ireland. In view of the widespread
distribution of Japanese brushes, this extension of the disease was not to be wondered at, and had it not
been for the stringent methods adopted by the health authorities it is probable that the outbreak would
have assumed larger dimensions. It is confidently hoped that the efforts which are being made to
reduce the incidence of this preventable disease following upon the enactment of the Anthrax Prevention
Act, 1919, will be fruitful of good results.
B.—Administration.
It may be noted at the outset that certain statistical information available is summarised in Table
II., see page 50.
Tuberculous Milk.—L.C.C. (General Powers) Act, 1904, Part V., and 1907, Part IV.
The Council's inspectors obtained 979 samples from churns of milk consigned from the country
to the various London railway termini, and these were submitted to the Lister Institute for bacteriological
examination. The milk was sent to London from 32 counties. Of the 943 completed examinations, 61
or 65 per cent., yielded tubercle bacilli, as against 7.4 per cent. in 1918, 103 per cent. in 1917, and
8.7 per cent. in 1916. In connection with these samples the veterinary inspector visited 58 farms and
examined 2,145 cows. It was found that 32 cows, i.e., 1.5 per cent., showed signs of tuberculosis in one
or more of its forms, or were otherwise unhealthy. In the case of each cow suffering from tuberculosis,
the farmer undertook to have the animal slaughtered and meanwhile not again to use the milk. In
addition, the inspector re-visited 275 farms and inspected 12,322 cows; all the animals examined at
these re-visits were found to be in a satisfactory condition with the exception of 91 which appeared to
be tuberculous. In each instance the owner undertook to have the animal removed.
During the period 26th November, 1918, to 12th January, 1920, there were four inspections of
the cows in the 109 London cowsheds. In all, 7,103 examinations were made. No cases of tuberculosis
of the udder were detected, but in 82 cases other unhealthy conditions of the udder were found. Two
cows were found presenting symptoms of generalised tuberculosis. The number of cows examined in
London cowsheds during the first quarter of 1914 was 2,676, while in the last quarter of 1920 the number
was 1,785.
Offensive Trades.
Under the provisions of section 19 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, the consent of the
Council is required to the establishment anew of noxious trades or the enlargement of the premises on
which they are carried on. During the year under review sanction has been given to the enlargement
of two fellmongers' premises, and to the establishment anew of the business of a gut-scraper. The
enlargement of a licensed slaughterhouse was also sanctioned.
Housing of the Working Classes Acts.
The Housing Committee have had under consideration reports as to insanitary areas in London
and have considered the necessity of dealing with a number of these forthwith ; and in connection with
the provision of dwellings for the working classes and the improvement of housing conditions in London,
the Council, on 15th July, 1919, decided to submit the following scheme to the Ministry of Health for
approval:—
"1. The period within which the scheme shall be carried into effect shall be five years from the
date of approval of the scheme by the Ministry of Health.
Provided that under the powers conferred upon them by sections 2 and 7 of the Act, the
Ministry, in approving the scheme, shall accept the period of five years and shall consent to allow—
(i.) That the grant of financial assistance under section 7 of the Act shall apply to all
work completed by the Council within the said period (subject to ii.) in pursuance of this scheme.
(ii.) That such grant shall not be withheld by reason of the Council, after showing reasonable
diligence in the prosecution of the scheme, failing to complete it within that limited period
through circumstances beyond its control such as labour, materials, etc.
And provided that if the Ministry are unable to allow so long a period as five years for
financial assistance the Council reserves its rights to submit a revised and smaller scheme.
2. Before the end of the said period the Council shall reconsider the needs of the county, and
thereafter decide what further action should be taken to meet the then existing conditions of the
supply and demand of houses, as well as the then existing sanitary conditions.
3. There shall be provided within a period of five years from the date of the approval of the
scheme by the Ministry of Health not fewer than 29,000 new dwellings, with accommodation for
approximately 145,000 persons, by the development of lands already acquired or to be acquired by
the Council under Part III. of the Act of 1890.
4. Not fewer, if possible, than 10,000 of the new dwellings referred to in the foregoing clause (3)
shall be completed within a period of two years from the date of the approval of the scheme by the
Ministry of Health, such dwellings to contain accommodation for approximately 50,000 persons.
5. The following existing estates of the Council shall be developed under the scheme for the
purposes of the scheme, viz.—
(i.) The eastern section of the Old Oak estate, about 31 acres in extent, in the metropolitan
borough of Hammersmith, by the erection of about 670 houses to accommodate approximately
3,100 persons.
(ii.) Section C of the Norbury estate, about 11 acres in extent, in the county borough of
Croydon, by the erection of about 260 houses to accommodate about 1,050 persons.