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of the County Medical Officer and in order to make this report
comparable with those of previous years, this report covers the
whole year. Next year they will not be included at all.
I beg to draw your attention to the section headed "The Health
of the Borough" in which I attempt to bring out some of the more
interesting facts in the Vital Statistics and to all paragraphs relating
to the transferred Health Services. The control of the purity of the
water supply has been discussed in some detail as this is a matter of
such great importance to the health of the residents. Examination
of the figures relating to the Diphtheria and Whooping Cough
Immunization Schemes will show that steady progress has been
made. The remarkable decline in the incidence of scabies and
infestation with head lice is perhaps one of the most satisfactory
features.
I am indebted to Mr. B. Aisthorpe, Chief Sanitary Inspector,
for the report on the Sanitary Circumstances of the area, and to
Mr. L. Martindale, Housing Manager, for the figures relating to the
Council's Housing Programme.
Mr. Aisthorpe has reported fully on the "Survey of Food
Premises" which has been undertaken. The figures show progress
up to the 31st December only. This is a matter which is actively
occupying the attention of the Health Committee at present. A
great deal has already been done and co-operation between the
Health Department and the local tradesmen is excellent. Every
effort is to be made to ensure that methods of preparation and sale
of foods in the Borough are second to none in regard to structure
and sanitation of premises, cleanliness and general hygeine.
I think that the Report shows clearly that the health of the
residents has been good during the year, that the Department has
made every effort to eliminate any unsatisfactory circumstances and
that progress in this respect will be made year by year.
I would like to thank every member of the staff for their loyalty
and hard work during the year. Without their enthusiastic cooperation
the high standard required of these public services could
never be maintained. Mr. B. Lamacraft was my Chief Clerk throughout
the year but, as he has recently been transferred to the Surrey