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12
of this now appears to lie in the distribution of milk in
cartons—a method possessing many obvious advantages to
the dealers and consumers. A further needed improvement
is the distribution of milk in vans with refrigeration
equipment. The delivery of milk to the customer in the
summer months in open vans leads to high temperature
and earlier deterioration, a fact which would be overcome
by milk distributors taking a lesson from the ice-cream
vendors. Fortunately, in this country, the public demand
is invariably satisfied, and it is hoped that in the next few
years a public demand for vans so equipped will be met
by the large milk distributing firms. Another improvement
needed in the care of foodstuffs is a more widespread
use of the household refrigerator which is very much
neglected in this country.
The mishandling of bread continues to be unhygienic.
Not only is bread delivered in dust-collecting vans, but
it is handled far too frequently by hands none too clean,
before it reaches the consumer. I wonder how long this
is to continue before the public demand reasonable care
in the handling of a food liable to carry infection?
Further legislation is necessary tor the prevention of
soiling public foot-paths by dogs, and the all too prevalent
habit of taking dogs into restaurants. Higher taxation I
know would be unpopular, but unless dog owners exercise
better control of their animals this taxation would appear
to be one method of lessening the evil.
The foregoing is merely a preamble, and a study of
the Report as a whole will give the reader a better idea
of the local activities that are contributing towards the
ideal of a " Fitter Britain." A few vital statistics for the
year under review will be of interest, the figures in parentheses
being the corresponding rates for England and
Wales:—
Death Kate 9.9 (12.4)
Birth Kate 13.2 (14.9)
Infant Mortality Kate ... 47 (58)
Maternal Mortality Hate ... 3.78 (3.11)
Scarlet Fever ... ... 1.77 (2.33)
Diphtheria 0.69 (1.49)