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5
The Senior Clinical Tuberculosis Officer, Dr. Ethard Goss, left the service
of the Council on 31st July, after 15 years' service, and many years previously
associated with the voluntary tuberculosis service in the Borough, and it is
with deep regret that I record here his subsequent demise in May of this
present year.
During the illness of Dr. Ferguson, I myself deputised for him in the
capacity of Acting Medical Officer of Health, and on 23rd December you
appointed me to be your Medical Officer of Health and Chief Administrative
Tuberculosis Officer, an honour which I most deeply appreciate.
Dr. Harley Stevens, the Tuberculosis Officer, was promoted by you, on
the resignation of Dr. Goss, to the position of Senior Tuberculosis Officer, on
1st August. The vacancy for Assistant Tuberculosis Officer, created by this
promotion, has not yet been filled.
Mr. H. T. Kightley, a senior clerk in the department, retired on a well.
earned pension on 29th February, after 44 years' service. Dr. Cecily Phelps,
part.time medical officer in the Maternity and Child Welfare Department,
resigned in January, and Dr. Margaret Emslie was appointed in her place.
Owing to my acting for the Medical Officer of Health, the Maternity and
Child Welfare Department did not, this year, have the full services of a Deputy
Medical Officer of Health. In this present year, however, a Deputy will be
appointed.
* * * *
New activities commencing to operate during the year included the
hydrocyanic acid gas fumigation chamber for bug disinfestation, under the
charge of a sanitary inspector and three disinfectors (a photograph of the
station appears in this report); the diphtheria immunisation clinic, which
opened on 5th June, under Dr. King.Brown, and which has been largely
attended; the home.helps and the maternity nurses services. The vaccination
districts were amended during the year.
Important legislation which came into operation and affected the work
of the department, were the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, on 1st October,
the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, 1933, on 1st May, new food bye.laws
formulated by the London County Council and the Milk (Special Designations)
Order, 1936. The Pharmacy and Poisons Act involved the inauguration
of a new system of records by the clerical staff, and a series of special
visits by the sanitary inspectors.
* * * *
Housing activities during the year were much to the fore. Ministry of
Health inquiries were held on three London County Council areas and two
Borough Council areas, the latter being confirmed by the Ministry without
modification. Closing Orders were made in respect of ten underground rooms
and 15 further were satisfactorily altered to comply. 255 cases of overcrowding
were abated, although the "appointed day," as laid down by the Act, has
not yet been fixed in this Borough.
The food section has had a busy and successful year, and reports an all
round improvement in conditions of food production and in the compliance of
the Merchandise Marks Act.