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often without relatives and with very few friends, eke out a miserable
existence, often in neglected and cramped accommodation.
When sickness and infirmity overtake them, they become dependent
on the charity of neighbours for such attention and sustenance
as they require. Whilst medical and nursing care are available to
them, and in certain cases domestic help also, facilities are lacking
for the preparation of early and late meals and for someone to keep
an eye on them at all times.
SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE DISTRICT.
Housing maintenance and the control of food preparation
premises has taken up most of the time of the sanitary inspectors
during the year. The enforced neglect of property repairs,
together with the accumulated effects of war damage, results in a
continuous flow of complaints by householders. Good progress
has been made, however, and arrears of work are being steadily
overcome. There is less difficulty in obtaining labour and materials
for essential repairs, and it has not been found necessary to resort
to formal proceedings in as many cases as in the last few years.
The inspection of premises where food is prepared, handled and
sold has received more attention, and it is gratifying to note that
improved standards of hygiene in catering establishments are being
maintained.
It has been possible to pay more attention to conditions in the
factories and workplaces in the Borough, and the miscellaneous
types of premises which come under the control of this Department
have received attention in proportion to their importance from the
public health aspect.
It has not been found possible to carry out much work in
connection with the provisions of the Shops Acts, 1912-1936. The
health and comfort provisions of these Acts, however, have usually
been dealt with, when opportunity afforded, in conjunction with
action taken with shops under the Food and Drugs Act, 1938.
FOOD HYGIENE CAMPAIGN.
During May a modest attempt to excite public interest in food
hygiene was undertaken. Through the kindness of a local firm of
food distributors, suitable displays were arranged in shops'
windows in Barnes and East Sheen respectively. Posters and
exhibits were displayed, giving good and bad examples of food
hygiene. By the co-operation of the firm mentioned, photographs
relating to clean milk production were also exhibited. These
displays attracted a good deal of attention from passers-by. Two
public lectures were arranged and advertised, both in the local
papers and by poster throughout the district. The public response