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During the visit of the Mass X-Ray Unit in January almost
10,000 people were examined; the percentage of people found to have
signs of active tuberculosis was considered to be fairly high, and
several of these positive cases were residents of other Boroughs who
were employed in local factories. The visit of the Unit did not
greatly increase the number of new notifications during the year,
and a fall in the number of deaths from 25 in 1951 to 15 in 1952
gives grounds for cautious optimism with regard to the progress of
prevention of this disease.
Work on the hygiene of food was a particular concern of the
Sanitary Inspectors during the year. 793 visits were paid to food
shops, restaurants and other places where food for sale could be
subject to contamination. Following the complete survey of all
catering establishments during 1951, a system of routine inspection
was established so that any premises falling below the standards
achieved as a result of the survey could be quickly discovered.
The total number of Sanitary Inspectors' visits increased
slightly during the year, but the number of statutory defects
discovered was very much lower than in 1951 i.e. 989 as compared
with 2327, suggesting that the gradual clearing of old property and
provision of new building is beginning to have effects likely to be
of benefit to the Public Health.
The welfare of Old People continued to be a matter of great
concern in the Department and the number of cases brought forward
for assistance increased. Although the voluntary helpers in this
field are numerous and well-meaning, it is a sad fact that in those
cases where the Medical Officer is asked to assist, generally the
individuals concerned have been left by family and friends to
deteriorate physically and mentally and alone until they become a
public "health nuisance.
New low records in Atmospheric Pollution were achieved during
the year, though the devastating effects of the December fog tended
to overshadow these both literally and metaphorically.
Study of the figures for Rodent Control shows a steady decrease
of the sewer rate population over the past six years, and there was
a reduction in the number of premises requiring treatment for rat or
mice infestation, from 306 in 1951 to 259 in 1952.
In an endeavour to make this Report as comprehensive as possible
of the work on public health in the Borough, information has been
obtained from many sources and special thanks are due to the
Secretary of the South West Middlesex Hospital Management Committee,
the County Medical Officer, the Area Medical Officer, the Physicians
of the Chest Clinics in Ealing and Hounslow and of the Mass X-Ray
Unit, the County Public Control Officer, the Divisional Officers of
the British Red Gross and St. John's Ambulance Associations, the
Organiser of Invalid Kitchens of London, the Secretary of the Old
Folks Fund and Chief Officers of Brentford and Ghiswick Borough
Council.
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