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During the latter part of the year, a very successful visit was paid by the Mass X-ray
Unit to Southall. During the three weeks of their visit, 9,929 persons were X-rayed, and
thanks were due to the many voluntary associations who gave help in various ways before
and during this visit.
Two schemes of investigation and research concerning tuberculosis, one inaugurated
by the Medical Research Council on the usefulness of B.C.G. vaccination for school leavers,
and the other by the Mass X-ray Unit for the investigation of the occurrence of tuberculosis
in adolescent workers, have been begun and in each of the schemes Southall has been
allowed to take part. The work is done on volunteers from amongst the children about
to leave school, and the response has been very good.
Requests for help in the safeguarding of the welfare of old people have continued to
come in during the year, and the work of die Department in this connection has been made
lighter by the increasing facilities available, through the visits and schemes of the Old
People's Welfare Committee, for the discovery and rehabilitation of old people before they
develop into cases requiring hospital attention. The work done in providing holidays,
meals, chiropody and home visiting increased during the year, and a new scheme was
instituted for the provision of S.O.S. cards to be used in the windows of homes where
old people living alone might become suddenly in need of help.
Particular features of the health propaganda programme for the year were the
Anti-Litter Campaign designed to educate the public in maintaining the cleanliness of the
district, particularly from the public health point of view, the Anti-Diphtheria Immunisation
Campaign, which was part of a nation-wide scheme for the improvement of the attendance
for immunisation of the parents of young children, and the Mass X-ray publicity in
preparation for the visit of the Unit.
It appears from the statistics concerning infestation with vermin or scabies that it
may be reasonable to assume a great improvement in the amount of infestation throughout
the district.
Atmospheric pollution has been much in the public mind since the occurrence of
the great fog of December, 1952, and complaints with regard to offending chimneys
necessitated a considerable amount of investigation, as will be seen from the table of
sanitary inspections.
The problems of overcrowded houses, of increasing dilapidation of property through
neglect because of the cost of repairs, and of maintaining a high standard of hygiene in
food shops and catering establishments, continued to absorb the major part of the time
of the sanitary inspectorate, while the high number of visits paid in connection with rat
infestation suggests that, since the end of rationing, not enough care is being taken by
members of the community, whether householders or food factory or shop employees,
with regard to food waste or spillage, and so our gardens and yards and even our streets
begin to supply the nourishment which could attract vermin and encourage their breeding.
Acknowledgements are due to those who have so kindly supplied information for use
in this Report—the County Medical Officer, the Area Medical Officer, the Secretary of
the Uxbridge Group of the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board, the Medical
Superintendent of St. Bernard's Hospital, the Physician of Uxbridge Chest Clinic, the
County Public Control Officer, Chief Officers of the Borough Council, the directors of
many local organisations devoted to social service, officers of the Fuel Research Station,
and the general practitioners of Southall. I should also like to extend my sincere thanks
to the Chief Sanitary Inspector and to all members of the Departmental Staff in
acknowledgment of their help in the preparation of this Report, and also for their loyal
support at all times.
I am, your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
Manor House, Southall. Medical Officer of Health.
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