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Sanitation and environmental hygiene were the first aspects of public
health to receive statutory attention, that great measure the Public Health
Act, 1875, being the charter upon which the present highly organised
sanitary service is based. It is not surprising, therefore, that the local
records reveal a continuing high standard of this facet of the public
health. Water, food, drainage, cleansing, nuisances and allied matters
all now come under the closest supervision and the many tests and
examinations employed in the process indicate how successful these safeguards
have become. The provision of clean air has at long last been
added to this list of essential services and a promising beginning has
been made to ridding the atmosphere of its man-made pollution. There
is a trite saying that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance; it was never
truer than in relation to the risks to public health.
In one respect, however, success continues to elude us. It is in the
solution of the evils associated with overcrowding. The key to this is
more houses and until they are available the present slow progress will
mean not only that the Council's slum clearance programme will continue
to lose ground but many hard-pressed families will see no chance
of relief for a long time to come.
During the year Mr. H. J. Spicer retired from his post of Chief
Public Health Inspector. He had served the Council for 35 years and
my report would not be complete without paying a tribute to the long
and valuable contribution which he made to the health and wellbeing of
the district.
To all members of my staff I once again express my grateful thanks
for their willing and loyal assistance.
I am, Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
F. LAWRENCE SMITH,
Medical Officer of Health.
July, 1961.
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