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the occasional meal and encouragement to join
in current social events.
In the light of experience gained in the past
two years life in the hostel has become less
structured and more liberal Regular group
meetings are held to allow full participation in the
way the hostel should be run to the benefit of all.
Dr C Herridge. Consultant Psychiatrist visits
the hostel weekly and is available at all times
to give advice as necessary. This coupled with
the weekly visit of Dr W A We Her, the hostels
general practitioner amply covers medical needs
both psychiatric and physical
Mr W N Carey, Chief Mental Welfare Officer and
his staff supported us with enthusiasm and
interest both professionally and socially, as
indeed did the whole Mental Health division and
was appreciated by residents and staff alike
During the course of the year there were
disappointments but these were more than outweighed
by the successes leaving one in no doubt
of the value of such an establishment.
Environmental Health
The following is submitted by Mr K J Smith
FAPHI MRSH Chief Public Health Inspector
Despite an unusually high staff sickness rate
and the untimely death of one inspector during the
year the major activities of the section were
pursued and a substantial increase of work under,
the Offices Shops and Railway Premises Act.
1963 and Food Hygiene Regulations was achieved.
This report is in a concise form providing the
information requested by the Minister in Circular
1/69 and incorporating statistics required by the
Prevention of Damage by Pests Act. 1949 and the
Offices Shops and Railway Premises Act. 1963
together with such explanatory or descriptive
material as is necessary adequately to show the
extent of the work of the department.
Water supply
The supply is adequate in quantity and is derived
from the River Thames and is treated and distributed
by the Metropolitan Water Board and South
West Suburban Water Company who maintain strict
control of purity. All dwellings in the borough are
supplied with drinking water drawn direct from
public water mains and none permanently by standpipes.
The water is not plumbo-solvent.
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Fluoride is not added and the natural content
varies between 0 30 and 0 39 milligrames per litre
Thirteen check samples of drinking water taken
locally were all reported as satisfactory.
Three samples of water taken from tanks used
for keeping terrapins and suspected of para typhoid
infection were all proved negative. The Medical
Officer of Health comments in greater detail on this
incident under the heading Infectious diseases
One sample drom a domestic kettle alleged to
have been contaminated for the purpose of harrass
ment or worse was found to consist of washing up
water!
As the result of informal action 62 supplies were
reinstated or tanks and fittings cleansed or repaired
Swimming baths and pools
The General Baths Manager informs me that attend
ances at the local baths were as follows
Swimming Annual Maximum on
bath attendance any one day
Brentford 115,557 353
Chiswick (Open Air)
(Summer only) 44,588 2,047
Feltham 327 475 1,690
Heston 159.683 825
Hounslow 200,262 487
Isleworth 185.614 906
Slipper baths
Chiswick 29.634
Brentford 8,277
Hounslow 17,696
Isleworth 13,575
Control measures taken by the general baths manager
are checked by random samples taken by this department
from baths and paddling pools. Of nine such samples
taken during the year one from a males foot bath was
below standard and was referred to the baths manager
Sewerage and sewage disposal
The sewerage of the borough forms part of the West
Middlesex Sewerage Scheme and sewage effluent is
discharged to the river Thames through the Mogden
purification works situated in the borough and con
trolled by the Greater London Council. Only a small
number of isolated premises on the outskirts have