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rate from the previous year. The area comparability factors for use
with crude birth and death rates are to provide fair comparison of
rates of different districts, and contain adjustments for boundary
changes and for rapid alterations of increase or decrease in areas
affccting the age and sex grouping.
Environmental Health.
The object of the new Food Regulations is to promote increased
hygiene consciousness in connection with food handling in food
and catering premises, and this is the second great step forward in
the campaign for clean food.
The Regulations are more difficult to enforce, as in part they
refer to less tangible offences such as the unhygienic acts of persons
rather than the more obvious offences of dirty premises, formerly
alone dealt with by Regulations under the 1938 Act. Consequently,
initially more inspections are required, but ultimately good habits
through home and Schools must be established.
Registration is a useful measure if there are enough Inspectors
to carry out the necessary visits and reports. The national shortage
of Inspectors hinders the extension of registration to many establishments.
Similarly, a determined effort is needed nationally to deal with
the problem of noise, and it is hoped that in the near future, powers
similar to those now available to deal with smoke pollution will be
available as a public health measure.
Medical Applications for Rehousing.
From 6th January to the 27th December, 1956, 68 applications
with certificates were awarded points on medical grounds. Fourteen
were re-applications, and in six of these further medical points were
recommended. In 23 applications the maximum points were allotted,
with a recommendation in 17 cases specifically for ground floor flat
accommodation for elderly persons. In 11 applications for which
maximum points were recommended the total points were 40 or less.
In seven cases no additional points were recommended. The medical
causes are classified in the following groups:—
Tuberculosis 10 Coronary Thrombosis 3
Chest disease 12 Hypertension 2
Asthma 5 Anxiety state or Nervous
Rheumatoid arthritis 12 strain 11
Angina or Cardiac weak- Children illnesses or over-
ness 2 crowding 15
In 17 cases out of 68 applications considered, either one or other
applicant was over 60 years of age; this compares with 17 out of 59
applications for the previous year.
Most of the heart cases were associated with unsuitable accommodation,
due to stairs. A typical case was a man of 70 with cardiac
8