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The emphasis of the year's activity has been upon food inspection,
improvement of houses and clean air vrork.
During the year legislation was introduced making it compulsory to
inspect animals at the time of slaughter. This important measure comes vi/hen
home produced meat is less affected with tuberculosis than ever before.
In spite of our efforts, the number of owners applying for grants for
the improvement of houses has been disappointing. In the field of smoke
control the Gas Council's policy of producing gas from sources other than
coal resulted in a reappraisal of the domestic fuel supply situation. As
with worthy public health ventures in the past. it is to be expected that
there will be difficulties before the air we breathe is freed from impurities,
but it is heartening to learn that London's smoke pollution has been reduced
by sixty per cent. during the last ten years according to the estimates of
Warren Spring Laboratory of the Department of Scientific and Industrial
Research. It should be remembered that the process of introducing smoke
control areas is also one of modernisation, bringing with it greater efficiency
of combustion and better standards of heating and comfort.
The intensely cold winter of 19&3 caused the Department concern over
the plight of old people living alone and the splendid work of the local
voluntary organisations is acknowledged.
The Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963, when implemented,
will produce a better standard in premises which have not previously been
subject to public health law.
At the time of writing this report, the press and television are
bombarding the public with news of an outbreak of Typhoid in Aberdeen alleged
to be due to a faulty tin of corned beef. Much has been said about the
consequences of this incident but it is emphasised that such occurrences would
be common if it were not for the standards of food handling which are maintained
by responsible members of the food handling and catering trade and the ceaseless
vigilance of the Public Health Inspectors and their colleagues. In the defence
against food and water borne disease there can be no complacency. In seeking
to attain a healthier environment, the fundamentals of health education and
the practice of cleanliness are still essential.
The department continued to co-operate with the Forest Products
Research Laboratory and Warren Spring Laboratory of the Department of Scientific
and Industrial Research in connection with the control of timber pests and
atmospheric pollution respectively.