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PUBLIC HEALTH
GENERAL
Table I lists the number of visits and inspections made during the
year with regard to the Public Health Inspectors' work. The visits
are divided under various sub-headings and the figures for 1958 are
given for purposes of comparison. On the total of visits in Table I
there has been an increase of approximately 900 visits. The increases
are largely due to the Clean Air Act although there are small increases
on Public Health housing inspections, these mainly being cancelled
by decreases in the remainder of the headings.
NUISANCES AND SANITARY DEFECTS
The visits under this heading are less than the number made in
1958 by 155 although the number of complaints made by the public
are slightly higher. These visits are those which are made on the
primary inspection following a complaint and subsequent visits to
ascertain that the complaint has been remedied. Consequently the
number of visits and complaints are closely related, and usually vary
in direct relationship. The fact that while visits have fallen, complaints
have risen slightly, is accounted for by less follow up or subsequent
visits being necessary. All complaints are, of course, visited. The
number of preliminary notices served in the year is less than in the
previous year (Table II). This, together with the previous figures
shows the general tendency for complaints to be of a less serious
character so that they can be dealt with by personal contact with the
owners of property and other persons responsible for the nuisance.
Table III which lists the repairs carried out as the results of notices
served on owners remains very much the same as in previous years.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND FOOD POISONING
The number of visits made under this heading during the year has
more than doubled. If Table I in the Medical Officer's report is
consulted it will be seen that the number of cases of Scarlet Fever,
Dysentery and Food Poisoning increased very considerably in 1958.
This in itself is of little importance as the number of cases of these
diseases does fluctuate widely.
During the year there were nine cases of Food Poisoning as compared
with one case in 1958. These cases were not related except
where several cases occurred in the same family. Every effort is made
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