View report page

Health for the renewal of certain of the lapsing bye-laws
which it was deemed necessary to have in effect, but in
view of the war the Minister refused to sanction the
proposed bye-laws put forward. So far it has been possible
to continue sanitary work without these bye-laws,
but if a difficult offender is met it is not possible to forecast
how the remedy for the nuisance or defect can be
obtained where such is not covered in the general
legislation.
The water supply, despite temporary dislocation due
to war damage, has been maintain and a pure and wholesome
water has been forthcoming after a few hours on
practically all occasions.
Regular weekly collections of house refuse have been
seriously interfered with owing to the call-up of workmen
and the difficulty in replacing them and owing to
dislocations in traffic movements from time to time. The
longest period between collections has not, however, ex-
ceeeded fourteen days.
The incidence of scarlet fever and diphtheria was
lower in 1940 than in any previous recorded year in this
district. Immunisation against diphtheria was pushed
vigorouslv throughout the year and by the end of the
year the percentage of the peace time child population
inoculated under the age of 11 was about 38. Many
more children require to be immunised and all the publicity
that can, should be given to this vital procedure.
Of 4.611 children immunised in this Borough from the
commencement of the scheme up to the end of 1940 not
one has developed diphtheria.
During the second and third weeks of June nine
cases of Para-typhoid B Fever came to my notice. This
was at a time when there was a prevalence of this disease
in other parts of the county, and, although many investigations
were made, the cause was not found. It must
be assumed, however, that there had been some infection
of some foodstuff at this time, and with the increased
handling of unwrapped foods and the employment of
more women in shops, with frequent changes in staff,
such outbreaks can only be prevented by all persons who
are handling food frequently washing their hands both
before and during the period they are working.
100