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BOROUGH OF BARNES.
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR
THE YEAR 1940.
PREFACE.
In accordance with the terms of Ministry of Health Circular
2,067, in view of the increasing pressure of work in the Public Health
Departments of Local Authorities and the need for strict economy in
the use of paper, this Report is confined to essential and urgent matters
which have affected the public health during the year.
Accordingly I have to make observations under the headings which
follow.
STAFF.
Mr. A. A. Brown, an Assistant Sanitary Inspector, who had joined
H.M. Forces in 1939, was not replaced until 13th December, 1940,
there being considerable difficulty experienced in obtaining a suitable
replacement.
Mr. G. K. Shilleto, a clerk, joined H.M. Forces in January, 1940,
and was replaced by a temporary female clerk.
As the Medical Officer of Health is responsible for the organisation
and control of the Civil Defence Casualty Services, including cleansing
stations and the decontamination of foodstuffs, it was unavoidable that
many of the members of the staff were called upon to shoulder additional
duties and responsibilities involving considerable periods of
overtime.
SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE DISTRICT.
Owing to the absence of one of the sanitary inspectors serving with
H.M. Forces and the considerable amount of time taken in connection
with billeting and rehousing of evacuees and persons rendered homeless
by enemy action, and also other matters arising as a result of the war,
the number of routine visits of the inspectors fell considerably. This
was, in any event, in accordance with the directions of the Ministry of
Health, which were that routine inspections of houses and similar
inspections should be suspended for the duration of the war.
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION ACT, 1919.
Particular attention was given during the year to sites of buildings
demolished by enemy action, steps being taken to prevent rats escaping
from the sewers via damaged house drains. In addition, all allotments
and piggeries were regularly visited by the ratcatcher and action taken
to prevent rats harbouring on the sites. A systematic baiting with
poison of the public sewers was also carried out.