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9
The new Disinfecting Station at your Hospital at Denton has proved to be of
great value, particularly in regard to the bathing and disinfection of Small-pox
contacts. During the year the Hospital has been further improved by the re-building
of the Caretaker's Cottage and the installation of central heating apparatus in the wards.
The carrying out of the provisions of the Public Health (Imported Food)
Regulations, 1925, formed an important part of the work of the Port Sanitary Authority.
The control of imported mutton, on account of the prevalence of Caseous Lymphadenitis,
referred to in my Report of 1928, was continued throughout the year. The Medical
Officers of Health of the City of London and certain Metropolitan Boroughs continued
to accept whole consignments for examination in cold stores in their districts.
Consignments for provincial destinations were only released under guarantee that they
would be held in cold store for examination by the Medical Officer of Health of the
district concerned, who was notified by me of the despatch of the consignment in
each case. Ten per cent, of every consignment for districts other than the City of
London and the Metropolitan Boroughs referred to above was detained in Dock Store
for examination by your Inspectors. The importers have given every facility for
inspection, and have closely co-operated with your officers. It is satisfactory to be
able to report that the standard of inspection abroad is steadily improving; research
is being carried out into the cause of the disease and the manner in which sheep
become infected, and there is reason to believe that the precautions taken in the
great exporting countries will be so effective that it will be possible to reduce still
further the examinations here.
As in former years, a percentage of all ox-tongues imported from South America
was examined on arrival, the proportion found to be affected with Actinomycosis
being the same as last year, viz., 09 per cent.
Legal proceedings were taken in respect of an infringement of the Public Health
(Preservatives, &c., in Food) Regulations. The Magistrate dismissed the summons,
under the Prohibition of Offenders Act, upon payment of the costs by the defendants.
The total weight of Foodstuffs destroyed or disposed of for purposes other than
human consumption on account of disease or unsoundness during the year was
approximately 2,572 tons.
The Annual Report on the working of the Canal Boats Acts and Regulations is
appended.
I have pleasure in reporting that all grades of your Staff carried out their duties
in a highly satisfactory manner, and maintained cordial relations with all those with
whom their work brought them in contact during the year, and that, as in former
years, the Officers of His Majesty's Customs, the Port of London Authority and the
Pilots have always been ready and willing to co-operate in the health work of
the Port.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
CHARLES F. WHITE.