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staff, and my personal thanks, to them for all their help which, I am sure, has to no small
extent contributed to the excellent record of health care for mothers and children of this
Borough.
The number of inspections of premises carried out by District Sanitary Inspectors
increased during the year. Although all cases of overcrowding in the Borough do not
necessarily come to the notice of the Department, an increased number was ascertained,
either during inspections for other purposes, or by the occupants of overcrowded property
coming to the Department to ask for help with their housing problems. All such cases
were recorded and brought to the notice of the Housing Department and Public Health
Committee—cases were kept under review and any alteration of the circumstances noted.
With regard to housing defects, it is interesting to note an increase in the amount of work
carried out as a result of informal action with subsequent reduction in the number of
statutory notices required—this is partly due to the relaxation of legal restrictions on the
repair and decoration of property, which has had a particularly beneficial effect on the state
of shop premises.
The presence of large food factories in the Borough necessitates continual vigilance
and much visiting, and in 1948 a survey was commenced of the conditions under which
food was stored, cooked and served in all the catering establishments of the Borough.
Although there were no notifications of food poisoning, and although the past records of
the Borough are excellent in this respect, eternal vigilance is necessary both in search for,
and removal of, sources of nuisance which might become disease and death producing.
The experiment on the Irradiation of Upper Air in schools, commenced in 1947 for
the purpose of ascertaining whether this method would reduce infectious disease incidence
in irradiated schools as compared with non-irradiated schools, continued through the year,
and no doubt the fact that there was a high incidence of measles will have helped the team
of investigators with figures which will make a decision on the usefulness of the irradiation
more attainable. It is hoped that the results will be available for the 1949 Annual Report.
The Mass Radiography Unit of Middlesex County Council visited a factory in the
Borough and carried out extensive examinations of the factory employees. A few sessions
were made available to the general public and an invitation was extended to them to volunteer.
Many requests were received after the Unit had gone, stating that citizens of the Borough
wished a further opportunity to take advantage of the scheme, and Middlesex County
Council were asked to make the services of the Unit available for Southall at their earliest
convenience.
I should like to thank all the staff of the Health Department for their energy and
enthusiasm in the cause of health, and for their loyal support.
I am, Your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Medical Officer of Health.
Manor House, Southall.
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