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Puerperal Pyrexia.—This condition is defined as "any febrile condition occurring in a woman
within 21 days after childbirth or miscarriage in which a temperature of 100.4 degrees F. or more has been
sustained during a period of 24 hours or has recurred during that period." Such a febrile condition, no
matter what is the cause, is notifiable so that appropriate action can be taken if investigation suggests
that the condition is likely to be puerperal fever. During the year 23 cases were notified but no woman
died from puerperal or post-abortion sepsis.
Measles.—This disease was less prevalent in 1947 and caused no deaths. Admission to hospital
was arranged for 23 cases.
Whooping Cough.—The incidence of this disease was greater than in recent years but no death
was due to whooping cough. Admission to hospital was arranged for 12 cases.
Malaria.—No case was notified during 1948.
Influenza.—No epidemic of influenza occurred during 1948 and the deaths due to this disease were
5 as compared with 8 in 1947.
Mumps, Chicken Pox, German Measles.—These diseases are not notifiable, but cases are brought
to the attention of the Department through schools, health visitors, etc. The following numbers of cases
were recorded during 1948:—mumps, 434; chicken pox, 500; and german measles, 7.
Fever Hospital.—The Borough is served by the South Middlesex Infectious Diseases Hospital
and during the year 237 patients from the Borough were admitted as cases of infectious disease. Close
contact is maintained between the hospital and the Health Department so that any necessary action can
be taken.
Disinfection.—The disinfection of bedding, etc., is done at the South Middlesex Infectious Diseases
Hospital while the disinfection of homes is carried out by the disinfectors on the Health Department staff.
In 1946, after considering a report on the subject, the Council decided to stop terminal disinfection of rooms
and bedding "except in cases of smallpox or where the Medical Officer of Health considers such disinfection
to be advisable." Twenty-eight rooms were disinfected during 1948.
Food Poisoning.—No outbreak of food poisoning was reported in the Borough during 1948. Strict
personal hygiene by all persons handling and cooking food is the most important matter in the prevention
of such outbreaks.
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES
Water Supply.—The water supply of the Borough is derived almost wholly from the Metropolitan
Water Board. A small portion of the Cranford area is supplied by the South-West Surburban Water
Company. There are 50 shallow wells in use in the Borough, and at 28 of the premises an alternative
supply from the mains is available. The following work in connection with water supplies was carried
out during the year:—
Supplies provided or reinstated 26
Cisterns, cleansed, repaired, etc. 37
Draw-off taps connected direct to main 9
Service pipes or taps repaired 53
Cases where mains supply substituted for well supply 1
Samples taken from wells for analysis Nil
Wells abolished Nil
Drainage and Sewerage.—The drainage and sewerage of almost the whole of the Borough is
arranged on the separate system and forms part of the West Middlesex Sewage Scheme. A few houses
on the outskirts of the Borough drain to cesspools. The following work was carried out during 1948.
Drains exposed for examination 30
Drains unstopped, repaired, etc. 326
Waste pipes repaired, trapped, etc. 91
Soil pipes repaired, etc. 21
Ventilating shafts repaired, etc. 10
Fresh air inlets repaired, etc. 6
Rainwater pipes disconnected from drains 1
Gully traps inserted or repaired 89
Disconnecting traps inserted or repaired 6
Disconnecting and inspection chambers provided 24
Disconnecting and inspection chambers repaired, etc. 55
Drains constructed or repaired 38
Total length (ft.) of drain pipes laid—
(a) 4 in. 1,017
(b) 6 in. 14
Drain tests applied 172
Other works executed 17
Cesspools emptied or repaired 3
Cesspools abolished 3
Rivers and Streams.— The supervision of the rivers and streams in the Borough is carried
out by Middlesex County Council. No complaint of pollution was made to the Health Department during
1948.
Closet Accommodation.— The closet accommodation of the Borough consists almost wholly of
water closets connected to the sewers. A few water closets drain to cesspools, and several houses on the
outskirts of the Borough have pail or chemical closets. The following works were carried out during the
year:—
Water closets constructed or rebuilt 14
Water closets provided in substitution for dry receptacles 6
Water closets where walls cleansed 62
Water closets fitted with new flushing apparatus 44
New pans or pedestals provided 113
Water closets repaired or improved 160
Water closet blockages unstopped 16
Other closets provided or repaired 4
14