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4.—INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD.
The Sanitary Inspectors have as usual had to give a considerable
amount of time to the inspection of meat and other foods at the
Regional Slaughterhouse, the Meat Depots, Butchers' Shops, Stalls,
etc., and once more we were grateful for the additional assistance
rendered by the Sanitary Inspectors of the Dagenham Borough, and
Hornchurch Urban District Councils, who, for the purpose of carrying
out inspections, have attended at the Regional Slaughterhouse
on one day of each week. Since the appointment, however, of a
Second Additional Inspector in (his area, we have been able to cope
with all the inspections ourselves.
Altogether, 1,000 visits have been paid. At the Slaughterhouse
alone, 16,136 carcases were examined.
5.—PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER,
INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES.
(i) Notifiable Diseases.
(a) Acute Infective Hepatitis.
31 cases of this disease were notified during the year, and, as
investigations are still being made into the cause, and mode of distribution
of this condition, the actual notifications were forwarded
each week to the Regional Medical Officer at Cambridge, or "Nil"
returns, where applicable.
(b) Diphtheria.
During 19-16, 7 cases were notified with residence in the area.
The number of cases of this disease continues to be very few,
and, in part at any rate, this can be accounted for by the large number
of children, who have been artificially immunised. It may also,
however, be due to a periodic diminuation in the virulence of the
infecting organism. It is impossible to say which has the greater
influence, but there is no doubt that the former plays a very considerable
role in the present freedom of the district from Diphtheria.
Propaganda in connection with Diphtheria Immunisation was
again maintained throughout the whole of the year, and I feel sure
that, of all forms of propaganda, the most fruitful is that given by
personal persuasion of the staff to the individual mothers. This is
achieved not only by individual contact at the various clinics, but
also in the homes by routine and follow-up visits.
Sessions for Immunisation were again held at each Child Welfare
Clinic, at the Schools, and at the Day Nurseries, and, in
addition, a free issue of material was given to any practitioner, who
asked for it.