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We receive complaints about them, I feel that- such complaints
are mainly due to thoughtless action on the part of the public,
in not replacing the covers after depositing the salvage in the
bins. The bins and bone boxes are not ornaments to the localities
where they are situated, but I do not think they are detrimental
to public h.alth, and so long as their contents are required to
ease the strain on transport, and the war effort generally, they
should be retained. They are especially valuable in reducing the
quantity of house refuse that has to be disposed of on the controlled
tip. It is trade and kitchen waste that is largely responsible
for the heat generated in a controlled refuse tip, and its
elimination ia all to the good.
Wo were again troubled with crickets on the tip in
the summer months, but increased cover, the removal of herbage,
and treatment by spraying, kept down their numbers, and by early
autumn the tip was cleared of them.
The working arrangement with our neighbours at
Finchley for the joint use of a rat-catcher, has proved satisfactory,
all complaints having been dealt with satisfactorily.
There is no doubt that the rat is responsible for a great deal of
damage to our food stuffs, and when conditions are favourable, he
should be attacked and destroyed. On spotting the places from
whence complaints were received on a large scale map, it became
evident that the rats were survivors from the colonies formerly
inhabiting the sites of pig farms, (now covered with good class
houses), and that those houses where chickens were kept, were
the attractions. Keepers of chickens would greatly assist-in
keeping down the numbers of rats if they took the simple precaution
of storing chicken feeding stuffs in securely fastened metal
containers,
The incidcnce of the common infectious diseases has
been satisfactory. The numbor of notifications of Scarlet Fever
is less than half those in 1913,, and in Measles, less than one
third of those in 1943. On the other hand, Whooping Cough was up.
There was also an increase in the notifications of Diphtheria,
13 against 10. Pulmonary Tuberculosis was less by 7 notifications,
and other Tuberculosis is less by one notification. There was no
Typhoid Fever notified throughout the year. Respiratory diseases
were about average, there being 14 deaths from Bronchitis and 17
from Pneumonia, as agains; 33 in 1943. The incidence of scabies
fell considerably during the year, and the clinic established at
10, Remington Avenue, proved its suitability and worth. I again
thank the members of the Red Cross organisation for their good
work in this connection. Dr. Stephen of the Middlesex schools
medical service, has continued her good work at the diphtheria
immunisation clinic. Tie percentage of immunised children to the
child population is not so high here as in some other districts,
of Middlesex. This may be accounted for by the fact that we do
not count those as off. actually immunised until they show a
satisfactory Schick test, and we have no means of knowing the
number of children immunised by the general practitioners in their
private practices. private practitioners have applied for supplies
of A.P.T. and Schick tasting materials, and from the quantity issued,
one must assume that it is used, and protects a considerable
number of children, whose parents do not take advantage of the
infant welfare and school medical services.
The ambulance service has been maintained satisfactorily
and full use mace of the facilities given by the W.V.S.
"Voluntary Car Pool, for the use of 'chose people not ill enough to
require an ambulance, but unable to travel to and from hospital
by the public transport services.
I attach the usual tables of 'statistics and express