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Bacteriological examination has been regular, thirty-eight samples
being taken during the year. All proved to be satisfactory.
Shops Acts.
Nine hundred and fifty four (954) visits were paid in connection
with the Shops Acts.
Thirty four (34) contraventions were discovered and remedied.
Mortuary.
The Beckenham Mortuary has always been the responsibility of the
Public Health Department, but prior to 1950, the Mortuary Attendant
was a part time officer attached to the Borough Engineer's Department
In 1950 the Council appointed a Mortuary Attendant-Handyman to the
staff of the Public Health Department, and consequently it has been
possible to keep a closer check on the administration of the service.
It is not possible to confine the use of such premises to routine hours,
but with the co-operation of local undertakers, and the Coroner's Officers,
it has been possible to establish a system which enables the service to
receive the discreet treatment it should. During 1950, one hundred
and twenty bodies were brought to the Mortuary, where post-mortem
examinations were conducted by the Home Office Pathologist. The
Department's Mortuary Attendant is responsible for the clean maintenance
of the building, the reception and collection of bodies, assistance
at post-mortems, and the preparation and arrangements of a Town
Hall room for the purposes of inquest. In addition he takes charge
of any clothing or valuables found, the latter, of course, being returned
almost immediately to the next-of-kin.
In conclusion I should like to express my sincere thanks to Dr. T.
Philips Cole for his help and guidance in the conduct of the work of the
Sanitary Inspectors, and to my immediate colleagues my thanks are due
for their loyal co-operation in every aspect of our work.
G. A. WEBBER,
Chief Sanitary Inspector
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