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I have again gratefully to acknowledge the continued co-operation of the
Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis in making available the services of police
officers to assist in tracing alleged contacts named more than once.
The arrangements, outlined in my report for 1945, for co-operation with the
Service authorities to ensure continued attendance at clinics of men who, on discharge
from the Services, were under treatment or surveillance for V.D., have been continued.
Due to the progress of demobilisation, this work increased rapidly during
the year. The total number of notifications received from the commencement of the
arrangement to the end of 1946 was 1,393. In that period, 745 of the men concerned
had been interviewed with a view to attendance at civilian clinics if they had not
already completed treatment and been discharged. Of these ex-Service men, 594
were interviewed, by written invitation, at County Hall, while 151 visits and 20
re-visits were paid to home addresses. The difficulties inherent in this type of work
are obvious but they have been satisfactorily overcome.
Sanitary inspection
Possibly owing to a wider appreciation of the advice and facilities available for
the extermination of vermin and other pests, there has been an increase in the number
of reports of infestation. Apart from the County Hall and adjacent premises, 400
reports were dealt with, the majority being from Meals Service establishments (173),
schools (96) and hospitals and institutions (80). By the end of the year, the nuisance
had been abated in 301 instances, the remainder being incomplete. Some 1,350
visits were made in this connection, apart from visits of inspection to hospitals at
which routine disinfestation work is carried out by members of the staff.
Disinfestation
Arrangements were made to conduct experiments to determine the toxicity of
various insecticides, with particular reference to the much-publicised D.D.T., and
the co-operation and advice of Mr. A. W. McKenney Hughes of the British Museum
(Natural History) were secured and proved of great value.
During the year, loo primary and 117 secondary visits were paid tor the purpose
of sanitary inspection to the restaurants under the control of the Meals Service and,
where necessary, reports of defects have been forwarded to the Chief Officer, Meals
Service. The examination of foodstuffs for fitness for human consumption was
undertaken at 46 restaurants.
Meals Service
Reports were received ot a number 01 cases ot suspected tood poisoning in
connection with the Meals Service and in each instance a thorough investigation
into the possible cause was made in conjunction with officers of the local sanitary
authority. In one instance a consignment of gelatin was suspected to be the cause,
and was demonstrated by bacteriological examination to be unfit for human consumption.
Supplies to the Council's establishments of this particular lot were withdrawn,
the contractor undertaking to convert it to glue. As a further precaution
instructions were issued as to heat treatment of all gelatin used in the preparation
of food dishes, and a standard bacteriological and chemical specification for gelatin
was nreacribed for inclusion in contracts for supply.
Rest centres and homes were visited in connection with sanitary arrangements
as well as for the control of infestation. Arrangements have been made for some 30
institutions and homes to receive regular inspection to guard against pest and vermin
Social welfare
establishments