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25
SANITARY SECTION
Staff:
The staff of Sanitary Inspectors at December, 1948, consisted of the Chief Sanitary Inspector, the Deputy
Chief Sanitary Inspector and twelve District Sanitary Inspectors, with two vacancies.
The Council, during the latter part of the year, decided to conduct a clean-food campaign in conjunction
with food traders, and to make a survey of factory conditions in the Borough.
The Council therefore secured the approval of the Minister of Health to an increase of three in the
establishment of Sanitary Inspectors, making a total of 19 Sanitary Inspectors. The additional Sanitary Inspectors
did not commence duty until after the period covered by this Report.
In order to increase the number of available qualified Sanitary Inspectors, the Council amended the
Student Sanitary Inspectors' Scheme, which had been in operation for some 18 years, and four pupils were
attached to the Sanitary Inspectors' Department in December, 1948.
Food Poisoning:
There was an outbreak of food poisoning in a factory, affecting 36-40 persons. There were also several
cases of illness which were probably due to contaminated food. All these cases were investigated and samples
of suspected foods submitted for analysis, but no pathogenic organisms were isolated.
Clean Food Campaign:
Towards the end of 1948, at the request of the Council, a meeting was called of traders in the Borough
w ho prepare, handle and sell foodstuffs with the intention of enlisting their aid in promoting hygienic handling
of food. The meeting was addressed by Dr. Robert Cruickshank, formerly of the Public Health Laboratory,
Colindale, the Medical Officer of Health and the Chief Sanitary Inspector. Photographs, bacteriological
cultures and charts were displayed.
The need for hygienic methods in food handling was fully explained to the audience, and the practical
means by which improvement could be secured were demonstrated.
As a result of this meeting, the Willesden Hygienic Food Committee was formed. The traders were fully
represented on this committee and expressed their willingness and desire to co-operate with the Council in the
campaign for improved hygiene in the handling of food.
Smoke Abatement:
During the year, the number of complaints of smoke, grit and sulphur emissions from the three powerstations
in the Borough increased.
Some neighbouring local authorities, whose inhabitants were affected by the air pollution emanating
from the Willesden power-stations, made repeated representations to the Council. In October, 1948, a
deputation of the Willesden, Acton and Wembley Councils was received by a representative of the Minister
of Health. A promise was given that all authorities connected with the generating stations would take measures,
as far as possible, to mitigate the nuisance.
Premises Inspected:
The number of premises inspected on complaint was 6,898, and the total inspections and reinspections
were 36,562.
The total number of notices served was 6,038, an increase of approximately 36 per cent, as compared
with 1947 (3,941 notices served). The number of notices complied with was 5,230, an increase of approximately
44 per cent on 1947 (2,951 notices complied with). In 1948, 85 per cent (5,237) of the notices served were
complied with, as compared with 75 per cent (2,951) complied with in 1947.
Number of intimation notices served 4,329
Number of statutory notices under the Public Health Act, 1936, served 1,649
Number of statutory notices under the Housing Act, 1936, served 60
Details of all Inspections, 1948:
Number of premises inspected on complaint 6,898
Number of premises inspected in connection with infectious diseases 2
Number of periodical inspections of premises 3,815
Houses inspected from house-to-house (Housing Act) 93
For certificates or reports under Rent Acts 54
Public-house urinals 249
Mews and stables 75
Miscellaneous 1,107
Smoke observations 240
Ministry of Health Circular 2845 (Inadequately Housed Families) 124
Total number of primary inspections 12,657
Reinspections (for all purposes) 23,905
Total number of inspections and reinspections 36,562