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Shops Act, 1950, Section 38.— This section requires shops to be reasonably ventilated, heated
and lighted, and there should be suitable and sufficient sanitary and washing facilities for the persons
employed therein. In this connection, 73 inspections were made during the year.
Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials Act, 1951.— This Act came into operation on 1st
November, 1951. It is designed to ensure that filling materials used in upholstery, etc., comply with
prescribed conditions of cleanliness. Premises using filling materials have to be registered and premises
where rag flock is manufactured or stored have to be licensed. It is an offence to sell articles containing
unclean materials. Certain records have to be kept on registered and licensed premises and authorised
officers of a local authority have powers to enter, inspect and take samples. Under this Act, five premises
in the Borough have been registered and the Sanitary Inspectors made six visits of inspection.

The baths waters are treated by continuous filtration and chlorination. At Hounslow and Heston
Baths the breakpoint system of chlorination has been installed. The advantage of this system, which
is more expensive than the usual process and requires close and skilled supervision, is the stronger and
more rapid bactericidal action, and this is of special importance at times of high bathing load. While
baths' staff do everything to maintain a "safe" standard of bath water, the bathers could assist very
materially by the observance of strict personal hygiene. During the year, six samples of baths water
were taken and all were found to be satisfactory.
Verminous Premises and Articles.— Action in regard to one house had to be taken under
Sections 83 and 84 of the Public Health Act, 1936.
Verminous Persons.— Under the provisions of Section 85 of the Public Health Act, 1936,
one verminous person was cleansed. During the year, 213 children in attendance at schools in the
Borough were found to be verminous and because of the failure of parents to take the necessary action,
61 of these children had to be cleansed by the School Health Department.
Louse infestation is much too prevalent, and is due solely to lack of personal cleanliness. Reluctance
to wash and comb hair has never been an adequate excuse and is less so now, when preparations can be
obtained from any pharmacist, which when applied to the hair, do not reveal their presence by odour
or otherwise, but do kill lice.
Pet Animals Act, 1951.— This Act came into operation on 1st April, 1952. It is designed to
regulate the sale of pet animals and the main provision is that no person shall keep a pet shop except
under the authority of a licence granted in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Under the
provisions of this Act, five premises in the Borough have been licensed and 32 visits of inspection were
made during the year.
INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD
Milk.— During the year, 117 inspections were made at dairies and retail purveyors' premises.
Under the Milk (Special Designation) Regulations, 38 licences for the sale of " tuberculin tested milk,
42 for the sale of "pasteurised" milk, and 47 for the sale of " sterilised " milk were issued.
Complaints of milk being supplied in dirty bottles or in bottles containing extraneous matter
continue to be received. Though the number is small in relation to vast issue to the public, the Department
continues to bring to the notice of the trade the importance of clean methods of handling and
retailing milk. The public could also give more attention to this matter. Bottles should not be returned
to the milkman before being well rinsed in cold water. Milk remaining in bottles attracts flies, provides
a good growing medium for germs, and may give the bottles a bad odour. Milk bottles should not be
used for purposes other than to hold milk. Milk retailers do take care, but there is always a danger that
residues, following misuse, may escape detection and the bottle be refilled with milk.
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