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The incidence of infectious disease was less during 1950, the
number of notifications being 414 as compared with 652 in 19490 This
was principally due to the smaller number of measles notifications.
Points of note from the infectious disease figures are that one case
of typhoid fever, presumably infected abroad, developed the disease
here, but no second case of infection occurred; the number of cases
of poliomyelitis occurring was 9,4 of whom developed some degree of
paralysis requiring after-treatment.
With regard to the Hygiene of Food the Borough Council adopted
the new Bye-Laws for the Handling, Wrapping and Delivery of Food and
the Sale of Food in the Open Air. The amount of food poisoning in
the Borough was limited to 6 notifications of isolated cases and one
small outbreak involving 20 persons but of a minor nature, no
persons concerned being ill more than 4 days. A start was made on
the complete survey of all Catering Establishments in the Borough to
ascertain the sanitary conditions maintained on these premises and to
effect such improvements as might be required..
Health propaganda was continuous throughout the year by means
of personal communications, talks to groups and displays of topical
posters on health subjects. The film on Poliomyelitis was shown to
a large representative audience.
In connection with the care of Old People it is of interest to
note that provision of a Meals on Wheels Service was begun at the
latter end of the year. This should be of considerable value to the
aged and chronic sick especially if later the number of meals should
be extended to more than one a week as is the present provision.
The work of the Sanitary Inspectors continued to be heavy
throughout the year, both as a result of complaints received in the
department concerning defective housing, overcrowding, nuisances,
unsound food etc., and in their routine inspections of the sanitary
conditions of the Borough. A great deal of improvement was made
without reference to Statutory authority although legal enforcement
had to be used in six cases for repairs to defective properties and
in three cases with regard to unsound food.
A station for the investigation of atmospheric pollution was
brought into operation at the Public Health Department in August,
1950 and regular observations have been taken from that date.
Provision was made for a further station to be set up in the
Brentford district to commence operation in January, 1951. In the
text will be found graphs demonstrating the results of these
observations and also comparisons with the results of other
districts. The most interesting fact that appears from these graphs
is the great drop in pollution during the summer months when
domestic fires are at a minimum, although factories are working at
near normal pressure.
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