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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-four rooms were disinfected during 1950.
Laboratory.—Certain routine bacteriological work is done in the laboratory at the Health Department.
When more detailed investigation is required specimens are sent to the National Public Health
Laboratory Service. The number of specimens examined during 1950 was 215.
Food Poisoning.—Section 17 (1) of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, states: "If a registered
medical practitioner becomes aware, or suspects, that a patient whom he is attending within the district
of any local authority is suffering from food poisoning, he shall forthwith send to the medical officer of
health of that district a certificate stating—
(a) the name, age and sex of the patient, and the address of the premises where the patient is ;
and
(b) particulars of the food poisoning from which he is, or is suspected to be, suffering."
Experience suggests that all medical practitioners do not recall this statutory obligation to notify
actual or suspected cases of food poisoning and certainly the importance of notification "forthwith"
is not realised. If the Health Department is to have a real chance of tracing the origin and source of food
poisoning they should be on the job as soon as food poisoning is suspected.
The possibility of food poisoning should be kept in mind in all cases of "gastric flu" and unexplained
vomiting and diarrhoea. During 1950 notification of the occurrence of food poisoning in 5 persons was
received and information from other sources revealed a further case. Some details of these cases are set
out in tabular form overleaf. Tracing the source of food poisoning takes up much time and effort and
though the source can usually be suspected proof is not always forthcoming.
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 Suburban Water
Company. There are 41 shallow wells in use in the Borough. They serve 22 houses and 21 business premises
and at 29 of the premises (11 houses and 18 business) an alternative supply from the mains is available.
The water from 6 wells is known to be unsatisfactory, but as new housing and industrial development is
taking place in the vicinity it is hoped to replace these wells by a main supply at an early date. The
following work in connection with water supplies was carried out during the year :—
Supplies provided or reinstated 17
Cisterns cleansed, repaired, etc. 8
Draw-off taps connected direct to main 6
Service pipes or taps repaired 29
Cases where mains supply substituted for well supply Nil
Samples taken from wells for analysis Nil
Samples taken from mains for analysis 1
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 1950 :—
Drains exposed for examination 27
Drains unstopped, repaired, etc. 334
Waste pipes repaired, trapped, etc. 33
Soil pipes repaired, etc. 7
Ventilating shafts repaired, etc. 10
Fresh air inlets repaired, etc. 7
Rainwater pipes disconnected from drains 1
Gully traps inserted or repaired 46
Disconnecting traps inserted or repaired 6
Disconnecting and inspection chambers provided 10
Disconnecting and inspection chambers repaired, etc. 65
Drains constructed or repaired 21
Total length (ft.) of drain pipes laid—
(a) 4" 884
(b) 6" 9
Drain tests applied 108
Other works executed 4
Cesspools emptied or repaired 1
Cesspools abolished 3
Rivers and Streams.—No complaint of pollution was made to the Health Department during
1950. A watch is kept on streams for evidence of breeding of mosquitoes.
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 13
Water closets provided in substitution for dry receptacles, etc. Nil
Water closets where walls cleansed 19
Water closets fitted with new flushing apparatus 16
New pans or pedestals provided 45
Water closets repaired or improved 102
Water closets blockages unstopped 11
Other closets provided or repaired 7
Water closets connected to sewer and cesspools abolished 3
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