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VERMINOUS PERSONS AND CONDITIONS.
20 adults and 280 children (including children attending
elementary schools) were also cleansed at the Disinfecting Station,
whilst 760 rooms and 1,599 articles were treated for verminous
conditions. In addition, precautionary disinfection was carried out
to 164 rooms and 3,032 articles. In 54 instances work was performed at
agreed charges, which totalled £43.13.0.
DESTRUCTION OF RATS AND MICE.
During the early part of the year, a comprehensive campaign
for the destruction of rats and mice reached completion. This work had
been carried out in accordance with Ministry of Food circular N.S. No.
12, and the Council's rodent officer, six temporary rodent operatives,
and a female clerical assistant were fully engaged in the furtherance of
this work. At the conclusion of the campaign it was found possible to
dispense with the services of five of the temporary operatives. Detail
of work performed during the year are set out below.

The whole of the sewers in the Borough were also systematically
treated during the periods 31st May to 4th June and 6th to 10th December
The responsibility for water supplies in the Borough is
vested in the Metropolitan Water Board. Two complaints were received
during the year as to the quality of water. In both instances, analyse
of samples indicated they were ''pure and wholesome". In six other
instances the condition of water storage tanks was found to be
unsatisfactory. Necessary action to provide satisfactory supplies was
taken by the Sanitary Inspectors.
INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD.
Routine inspections of premises at which the preparation,
storage or sale of food is carried out, were made by the Inspectors.
Unsound food totalling 8,320 lbs. was surrendered to the Sanitary
Inspectors as unfit for human consumption. Wherever practicable, it
was passed to the Ministry of Food for utilization in the preparation
of animal feeding stuffs. In other instances the unsound food was
destroyed. The traders concerned were provided with the necessary
certificates to enable them to secure replacement stocks.
FOOD AND DRUGS ACT. 1938.
Analyses were made of four hundred samples submitted to the
Public analyst during 1948. Of this total, 163 were taken as "formal
and 237 as "informal". Twenty-three samples were reported as
adulterated, and the vendors concerned were the receipients of warning
letters, either from the Borough Council or the Ministry or Food. The
remaining 377 samples were found to be genuine.