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(v.) The need for regulations, under which the Council should be the
authority in the administrative county of London, for objects similar to those
of the Public Health (Influenza) Regulations, 1918.
(vi.) The need for comprehensive legislation dealing with the question of
smoke abatement.
(vii.) The need for revision and consolidation of the Acts relating to health
services in London.
(viii.) The need for investigation by the Ministry of Health of the question
of the disposal of house and other refuse.
(ix.) The advisability of a comprehensive technical inquiry by the Ministry
of Health into the problem of dealing as a whole with the drainage of London
and adjacent areas draining naturally into the Thames and its tributaries.
(x.) The desirability of instituting an inquiry as to the steps which should
be taken to provide suitable employment for tuberculous members of urban
populations.
The deputation was introduced by the Chairman of the Council and was
sympathetically received by the Minister of Health, who in his reply indicated the
intention of the Government to deal with the questions of Poor Law Reform and of
smoke abatement. The Minister also undertook that an inquiry should be made
into the question of the disposal of refuse.
On the question of drainage, the Minister stated that he proposed to draw up
a suggestion for a committee of technical experts with whom the Council's chief
engineer would be associated to go into the matter.
As regards the after-care of tuberculous men and women, the Minister stated
that he was in negotiation with the Treasury on the question of assisting the setting
up of experimental workshops under medical supervision.
Diseases of
Animals;
The Diseases of Animals Acts, 1894 to 1925, the object of which is the suppression
of contagious diseases in animals, naturally do not affect London so much as the
country. In London, apart from swine fever, attention is now principally directed
to glanders, anthrax, rabies, parasitic mange and foot and mouth disease, diseases
which are communicable to man. The Acts are supplemented by Orders issued by
the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. During 1925 the incidence of the principal
animal diseases so far as London is concerned was as follows:—Glanders, including
farcy, nil; swine fever, 2 outbreaks in which 191 animals were involved; anthrax,
nil; parasitic mange, 73 outbreaks involving 106 animals; and foot and mouth
disease, nil.
Swine fever.
Swine fever has been very prevalent throughout Great Britain during the past
few years. Two outbreaks were dealt with in London during the year. During
1925 no fewer than 20,870 swine were examined at feeders' premises.
Rabies.
The Council is convinced that the most efficacious measures for stamping out
hydrophobia are muzzling, the seizure of all stray dogs and the regulation of the
importation of dogs. Under the Dogs Order, 1906, which revoked all then existing
muzzling regulations, the Council made new regulations requiring the wearing of
collars by dogs while on a highway. Under these regulations, 30,053 dogs were
seized bv the police during 1925 and 22,039 were destroyed.
Parasitic
mange.
On the outbreak of the Great War the Order dealing with parasitic mange was
temporarily suspended, with the result that the disease increased largely. The
conditions under which trade horses are fed and worked in London, particularly
during busy seasons, tend to encourage the spread of the disease. During 1925
the returns of cases in London showed a slight increase. The following figures
relate to 1925 Outbreaks, 73; horses affected, 106; infringements, 18; written
cautions sent, 12; cases referred to solicitor, 6; convictions, 6; penalties and costs,
£37 5s. For the purposes of comparison, it may be pointed out that the number of
outbreaks in 1924 was 67, affecting 102 horses.