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New Food Legislation and the Association.
Early in the year we felt perhaps the time had come to wind up the Association. It was thought
that the recent food legislation which incorporates much of our Code of Practice, had reduced the
need for an organisation such as ours, but a strong majority were not in favour of this suggestion.
Our members appreciate the value of the badge and what it stands for and would be reluctant to
remove it. There is no doubt, too, that the public are becoming much more aware of its significance
but there is still much to be done to educate them in this direction. Your Committee would
emphasise, however, that we must ensure that our high standards are maintained at all times.
We ask the public to ' Insist on Clean Food ' and we, the members of the Association, are leaders
among the traders who insist that they get it."
SECTION F— PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER, INFECTIOUS
AND OTHER DISEASES
The incidence of infectious diseases in the Borough during the year was much less than in 1955.
This was mainly due to a drop in measles, a disease which seems to be especially prevalent in twoyearly
cycles; and 1956 was not a "measles year." Information regarding the 419 cases of notifiable
diseases reported is given in Table 21, page 38. Enquiries relating to these cases and to infectious
disease contacts involved 724 visits by the women public health inspectors. Scarlet fever increased,
31 cases being reported, as compared with 18 in 1955, but they were scattered and generally of a mild
type. In the spring there was a small outbreak of Sonne dysentery amongst young children, especially
in the east end of the Borough and apparently unrelated cases of the disease continued to occur
throughout most of the year and notifications totalled 57. There were 13 instances of food poisoning
as against 117 the previous year. Fortunately there were only two cases of poliomyelitis (1 paralytic
and 1 non-paralytic) and there was no diphtheria.
Tuberculosis.
Table 21, page 38 gives information regarding primary notifications of pulmonary and non-pulmonary
tuberculosis received during the year and Table 22 on page 39 shows the age and sex distribution
of new cases and of deaths from all forms of this disease.
Enquiries into housing and sanitary conditions involved 91 visits by one of the women public health
inspectors to all new cases and those moving into the Borough from other areas. The total number
of cases remaining on the register at the end of the year was 926.
Mass Miniature Radiography.
During the year a Mass X-Ray Unit was stationed at 25 different sites in the Borough. Many of
those X-rayed were not St. Marylebone residents and of the 29 active cases reported only 6 were living
in the Borough.
Statistics provided by Dr. Mikhail, the Medical Director of the Unit, are summarized in Table
23, page 39.
Food Poisoning.
During the year, 13 cases of food poisoning were notified. One outbreak was found to be due to
salmonella enteritidis and involved two cases. The other outbreaks were of unknown cause. Of the
single cases, three were found to be due to salmonella typhi-murium, one to staphylous toxin and one
to Morgans No. 1 bacilli. The three remaining single cases were of unknown cause.
Impetigo.
No cases of impetigo were referred to the Cleansing Station for treatment during the year.
Scabies.
The Council's Cleansing Station in Lisson Grove dealt with 127 cases of scabies: adults, 61 (men 46,
women 15); children, 66 (boys 35, girls 31). Nine patients were visited in their homes.
Venereal Diseases.
Continued assistance was given to the propaganda campaign for drawing public attention to the
dangers of these conditions and to the adequate facilities which exist for those in need of treatment,