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There was a decrease in the number of deaths from tuberculosis, 15 deaths were recorded
as compared with 24 in 1949. The number of notifications of new patients suffering from
this disease was 84, as compared with 126 in 1949. These figures show a satisfactory decline,
but they are still sufficiently high to give cause for anxiety ; in the text of this Report I have
analysed the figures of the new notifications and classified them in occupations and in
relation to their housing conditions. It is to be noted that the number of cases occurring
in houses which are in bad condition or where the families are overcrowded is comparatively
small, a rather surprising find, although this must be taken with caution since only one
year's figures are considered.
The total number of infectious disease notifications in 1950 was 1,139, compared with a
total of 477 in 1949. This increase was due to an epidemic of measles with a notification
figure of 701, and a fairly high incidence of whooping cough. There was 1 death from
diphtheria; this was the only case of diphtheria notified during the year; the child had
commenced, but not completed, immunisation. The number of cases of poliomyelitis
notified was 6, and no deaths, as compared with 14 in the previous year and 2 deaths. In
the same period the total number of notifications from this disease in Middlesex was 285,
and over the whole of England and Wales there were 7,753, so that on comparative population
figures it can be seen that Southall was rather lightly affected during the 1950 outbreak.
In the text of the Report notes are given as to the progress of the individual cases.
There were no outbreaks of food poisoning. During the year 16 notifications were
received of individual cases, all of a very slight nature.
The number of inspections made for housing defects increased from 5,788 in 1949
to 6,809, and as a result of these inspections 11,434 nuisances of a lesser or greater degree,
were discovered; 9,861 of these nuisances were abated either as a result of informal action or
following statutory enforcement. The remainder were still under review at the end of 1950.
Fewer cases of statutory overcrowding were brought to the notice of the Public Health
Department. During the year 38 families discovered to be living in conditions of statutory
overcrowding were reported to the Health Committee. The number of overcrowded families
relieved by Council rehousing during 1950 was 8, as compared with 70 in 1949.
Health propaganda was continuous throughout the year, talks being given on health
subjects to clubs, youth groups and workers, and these were assisted by the use of film
strips projected from a film strip projector machine purchased by the Public Health Department
for this purpose. Propaganda posters and leaflets were used as occasion arose, the
posters being renewed from time to time and the subject thereof being topical for the season
of the year.
An additional station for the investigation of atmospheric pollution was erected during
1950, making the total number of observation points three. A graph in the text gives in
pictorial form the results of the observations taken from these three points, and it is
interesting to note that there is a considerable drop in the pollution, both from smoke and
from dust and grit deposited during the summer months when domestic coal fires are at a
minimum, although factories are continuing at fairly high pressure.
With reference to the clean handling of food, the catering establishments in the Borough
were kept under observation and an improved standard of hygiene has been maintained
throughout. The Borough Council commenced, on the representation of the Health
Committee, a scheme for the provision of free washing facilities in certain of the public
conveniences of the Borough. When this scheme came into operation all employers of
roundsmen delivering food, and hawkers, were notified of the service and urged to take
advantage of it.
During the year a survey of the sanitary conditions prevailing in the Southall schools
was carried out with the co-operation of the Education Authority, and the Department staff
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