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4
section of the report I have made comment on several
items which are referable to the current year, as I feel
that if delayed until the time strictly appropriate to them,
they will lose much of their value.
PERSONAL
HYGIENE.
I would draw attention to the danger,
particularly under present conditions,
when many people take their meals,
at canteens and restaurants, of the spread of infection
by food. Several outbreaks of Dysentery, ParaTyphoid
and allied diseases have occurred in various parts
of the country, which have been attributable to infection
from those who prepare the meals. It is an unpleasant
subject to dwell upon, but nevertheless it calls for urgent
attention that persons handling foodstuffs should, in all
cases, wash their hands carefully after going to the toilet.
It is clearly demonstrable that by neglecting to do this,
the specific organisms concerned are transferred by the
hands to the food. It has recently been said by a wellknown
physician that the provision of a wash-hand basin
in a W.C. is as important as that of a toilet roll. During
the year, instructions have been given to persons in communal
kitchens to observe this rule of personal hygiene,
and it is hoped that when they realise the danger occasioned
to their patrons, they will carry out the recommendation
made.
Suspicion was aroused at a food preparing establishment
that Para-Typhoid was being spread from one of
the workers. The Medical Officer of Health, after having
made an inspection of the premises, accompanied by the
Senior Sanitary Inspector, interviewed many persons who
might conceivably have been the cause, and after consultation
with the manager, notices were displayed in all