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processes. The chlorine content and pH value of pool waters are checked by the use of a colour
comparator and pH meter and when necessary bacteriological examination is also carried out. An
area of Ruislip Lido is chlorinated and used for bathing purposes.

The 20 unsatisfactory bacteriological results were all taken from Ruislip Lido. 4 of the 6
satisfactory were also from the Lido.
These unsatisfactory samples do not represent any danger to health as they included investigations
into the problem of adequately treating the area of the lake used for bathing purposes. The
water in the bathing area is subject, not only to natural turbulance but also to the disturbance created
by boating activities. This results in treated water being constantly diluted by the main body of
water in the lake. There has been close liaison with the Director of Parks and Recreation and the pipe
work distributing the chlorine is at present being renewed and extended to ensure an improvement
in the efficiency of the water treatment.
FOOD
One of the most important duties placed upon a Local Authority is the protection of food
supplies. It is also one of the most difficult. Legislation provides the statutory controls and the sanction
for failure to comply with the laid down standards and the enforcement of the multitudinous
requirements so necessary to maintain the safety and quality of the food supply throughout the
Borough rests with the public health inspector. The enforcement of these regulations brings the
inspector into daily contact with those involved in the many trades and interests which make up
the food industry. From the foreman to the factory manager, from the agricultural worker to the
continental driver of a container lorry, he learns of all the practical difficulties involved in complying
with the standards fixed by law. He deals with architects during the design stage, engineers and
builders during the construction stage and management when the premises are operational. He is
consulted about constructional problems, operational difficulties, staff shortages and, in an
increasing number of cases, is finally presented with a language barrier as the number of foreign
workers in the food trade increases.
A report such as this can only briefly outline the problems encountered and the action taken to
deal with them.
MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS
The safety and quality of milk is the subject of a system of statutory control and licensing
covering all stages of production, processing and distribution. There remains a loop hole in these
safeguards in that milk, which has not been subjected to heat treatment process may still be sold,
as provision is made for this to take place under the designation "Untreated". While the amount of
this class of milk sold in the area is relatively small it does constitute a possible risk to health. Tuberculosis
has been eradicated from the diary herds in the United Kingdom and progress has been made
in the eradication of Brucellosis. With two exceptions all of the milk from the 15 dairy farms in the
Borough is sent for processing. In both the exceptions quoted, milk is bottled on the farm and without
heat treatment supplied to the customer. In one case there is a direct sale while in the other, sale is
via a major dairy company to members of the Jewish faith.
The Brucella ring test is an indicator test for the possible presence of Brucella abortus, positive
identification being by way of guinea pig inoculation. The presence of Brucella abortus was not
confirmed in any of the samples taken. The T.T.C. test indicates the presence of antibiotics in the
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