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There is no doubt that the unusually high incidence among some immigrants is cancelling
out the advances being made in tuberculosis control, and at present we are just about holding our
own. Two potentially serious outbreaks were checked at their onset. A Jamaican woman working
at a local factory was found to have the disease in a highly infectious form and we arranged, with
the ready co-operation of the management, for a Mass Miniature Radiography caravan to visit the
site and offer a chest X-ray to all employees. Another case, now in hospital, was found in a
Chinese restaurant where again the management and staff co-operated fully despite their limited
ability to understand English.
5. LUNG CANCER
This is included with Infectious Diseases because although we still do not know the cause
the incidence of this disease has escalated during the past few years, and there is now no possible
doubt that one of the most important predisposing factors is the habit of cigarette smoking. Lung
cancer killed 190 local residents in 1963, 176 in 1964 and 185 this year. Attempts by Health
Educators all over the country have shown almost consistent failure in trying to persuade young
people to avoid starting this dangerous habit which increases their risk of contracting lung cancer
from 1 in 300 to 1 in 8, as between non-smokers and those smoking 40 or more a day. Adults,
especially parents, school teachers and doctors, have a responsibility here to set a good example
and to de-bunk the glamour with which T.V. advertisements for cigarettes invest their dangerous
and addictive product. Cool charm, sex appeal, virility, concentration, original ideas, material
success and perfect physical and mental relaxation can all be purchased (from a slot machine if
you are under age) for a few shillings a packet.
Geoffrey Poole
Deputy Medical Officer or Health
The Environment
The work of the public health inspectorate in relation to the environmental health services
is detailed in tabular and statistical form on pages 65 to 75. I would, however, like to draw
attention to a number of matters of topical interest.
HOUSING AND SLUM CLEARANCE-NUISANCE ABATEMENT
A general survey of obsolescent housing throughout the new Borough was necessary at an
early stage in order to re-phase the Council's slum clearance and re-development programme for
submission to the Minister of Housing and Local Government. In furtherance of this programme a
local public inquiry was held in December in respect of the second stage of the Cathall Road slum
clearance scheme, comprising some two hundred houses. A detailed inspection of houses comprised
in the second stage of the Avenue Road slum clearance area was also completed before the end of
year (page 28).
The problem of obsolescent housing is not, however, confined to slum clearance areas.
Houses which, to all external appearances, are structurally sound, and of a reasonable standard,
may be rendered unfit for habitation when occupied by a number of families, or individuals, without
the necessary structural alterations or adaptations. A report was submitted to the Housing
Committee in May recommending the Council to adopt standards of amenity and fitness for habitation
for houses in mrltiple occupation. The report gave prominence to the seriousness and sordid
implications of this distressing social problem, which often imposes greater housing stress and
hardship than experienced in single family occupation of slum dwellings.
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