View report page

3
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH, 1956.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Borough of Enfield.
I have pleasure in presenting my Annual Report for 1956.
An impetus was given to the drive for clean and safe food
during the year by the introduction of new legislation leading to
considerable improvements in food premises as recorded elsewhere
in this Report. Although these improvements are very important,
I must repeat that they can only be successful in preventing food
infection if food handlers are aware of the simple hygienic principles
involved in safe food handling, and, what is more important, are
willing to observe these principles strictly. Just as you can take
a horse to water but cannot make it drink, so too can you take a
food handler to the newly provided water supply but you cannot
make him wash his hands. I have referred in this paragraph to
food infection rather than food poisoning, as it has rightly been
stated that food infection more aptly describes the condition in
most cases.
It was hoped to see during the year greater progress in, if
not completion of, that part of the East Middlesex Main Drainage
Scheme which would remedy unsatisfactory conditions in the
District. Difficulties, however, have been experienced and delays
have occurred, but it must be hoped that completion will not be
long postponed, and also that a large proportion of the cesspools
in the District will become redundant in the near future.
In recent years, considerable progress has been made in the
provision of new Public Lavatories, and modernisation of those
that have become outdated. During the past year, one new
Public Lavatory was opened in Green Street, and plans made for
the modernisation of the old facilities in Nags Head Road. There
are now 18 Public Lavatories situated at convenient sites in the
District. Not all have yet been provided with the up-to-date
hand-washing facilities which are so important, but the wilful
damage which constantly takes place on these premises is apt to
be discouraging.