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by Sanitary Inspectors, who then arrange for drainage systems suspected
of being the source of trouble to be smoke-tested and repaired, in liaison
with the Borough Engineer. Some indication of the extent of this work
may be gathered from the fact that during the year the drainage systems
of some 37 houses were wholly or in part, repaired or reconstructed. 599
complaints relative to infestation by rats and mice were investigated and
580 private houses and 122 business premises were dealt with. The total
number of visits in connection with these investigations and subsequent
disinfestation work amounted to 6,294.
Business Premises.
In the Borough there are 1,586 business premises—factories, food
premises, shops, industrial undertakings, etc.—involving 2,311 activities
and subject to registration or licence under various Acts and Orders.
These premises should be inspected regularly by Sanitary Inspectors to
ensure compliance with the provisions of the Acts controlling them and
the health of those who work in them. Because of staff shortages it was
not possible to maintain throughout the year a regular and systematic
inspection of all business premises. 3,241 inspections were carried out,
97 notices were served and 266 new registrations and/or licences were
dealt with. Attention is drawn to the statistical section of the report
for further deails.
Food and Drugs and Shops Acts Administration.
The Council is the Food and Drugs authority for the district and the
Sanitary Inspectors are authorised under the Food and Drugs Act, 1938,
to procure and purchase samples of food and drugs for chemical analysis
or for bacteriological or other examination. 100 samples of a variety of
foods and drugs were submitted to the Public Analysis for chemical
analysis. In eight instances adverse reports were received. The
circumstances relating to these samples were reported to the Public
Health Committee, and are summarised hereunder. The decision of the
Committee is given in each case.
Milk
In February, 1955, a complaint was received regarding a bottle of milk
alleged to have been adulterated by the addition of water. On investigation
it was discovered that about half the milk had been used, so it was not possible
to obtain a representative sample. The remaining portion of the milk was,
however, deficient in milk fat to the extent of at least 50% of the normal
quantity proper to natural milk. Because the top fatty portion of the milk
had been removed prior to analysis, it was to be expected that the sample
would show a milk fat deficiency, but the fact that the milk solids other than
milk fat (8.83%) were above the prescribed minimum of 8.5% indicates that
the milk had not been adulterated by the addition of water. It was resolved
that no statutory action was justified in this case.
Ice Cream
In August an informal sample of ice-cream was found to be slightly
deficient in milk solids other than fat, namely, 6.5% instead of 7.5% as
required by the Food Standards (Ice Cream) Order, 1953. The percentage
of fat was 5.2% in excess of the minimum 5% specified in the Order.
Representations were made to the manufacturers and further samples obtained
found to be satisfactory.