View report page

9
As there was still no unanimity among the various local health
authorities within the respective statutory areas of supply of the two water
companies concerned, no progress was made in the matter of fluoridation
of water supplies during 1967. It seems a great pity that this safe and wellproven
method of preventing dental caries is still being denied to the youth
of today and tomorrow!
As mentioned in the report for 1966 the question of the indiscriminate
dumping of rubbish throughout the Borough received further
consideration early in 1967. The problem of clearing these "dumps" is
beset with many legal problems. The area of responsibility can depend on
whether the accumulation is a statutory nuisance and detrimental to
health or, again, whether it is detrimental to the amenities of the neighbourhood.
The type and general content of the rubbish and the ownership
of the actual land involved can add to the difficulties over clearance. These
problems only result in delays over clearing the offending sites and it was
finally decided that speedier action could probably be achieved if one
department of the Council assumed an executive role to organise the
actual clearance. This Department, through its Environmental Health
Section, was given this task and, thanks to the efforts of Mr. King, the
Chief Public Health Inspector, a marked improvement in the state of
various sites in the Borough was soon evident. I think it can be said that the
Council have done a tremendous amount to help keep the Borough neat and
tidy—it is about time the people actually responsible for creating these
dumps took an interest in the amenities of the Borough and stopped this
unsavoury habit. There is too much of the thought that "the Council will
clear it up eventually." It should be remembered that clearance costs
money and this money comes out of the ratepayers' own pockets!
All the various services provided for the public continued and were
used to capacity during the year. So much so that plans are under consideration
for expansion in the cervical cytology and psychiatric outpatient
facilities at the Caryl Thomas Clinic. A further social club for the younger
handicapped was inaugurated in September and, judging by the enthusiasm
of the club members, seems to be serving a real need. An active health
education programme was carried out during the year with active participation
from all sections. During the year the second Mental Health Week
was held in June, and following the successful pilot Dental Health
Exhibition held in 1966 the venture was repeated with a good reception
in 1967.
The usual triennial visit of the mobile Mass X-Ray Service to the
Borough took place during March and April. Wide publicity was given
to this event by means of posters, leaflets and notices in the local press to
try and encourage as many of the public as possible to take advantage of
this simple and efficient instrument of preventive medicine. People working
in close contact with children should have regular chest X-Rays and
whereas the triennial visits of the Mass X-Ray Unit are very welcome, the
period between visits is too long. Mass X-Ray facilities are available at a