WALT ON-LE- DALE URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH for the Year ending 31st December, 1950 WALTON-LE-DALE URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH for the Year ending 31st December, 1950 Printed by Frank Coupe & Co. Ltd., Walton-le-Dale, Preston. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2018 with funding from Wellcome Library https://archive.org/details/b30231644 PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, COUNCIL OFFICES, BAMBER BRIDGE. REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH for the Year ending 31st December, 1950. To the Chairman and Members of the Council. Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the honour to present the you my Annual Report upon the health of the District for the year ending 31st December, 1950. Last year I dealt at some length with the alterations which had taken place in the structure of Local Government and had indicated how those changes had been applied locally during the previous decade of years, so it will not be necessary to repeat those details in the present report. It should, however, be emphasised that under the new arrangements much of the information given in these Annual Reports in former years is no longer available. This is unfortunate because it prevents a full picture of the health, and of the uses made of the facilities to improve health, being presented. Many of these statistics are now supplied direct to the Health Divisions and are apparently not now easily available to the district concerned. Pathological reports from the Hospital Laboratories which formerly were paid for by the district are not now supplied to that district except in epidemiology cases, i.e., Infectious Diseases and Food Poisoning. The information also about cases of Tuberculosis was very incomplete throughout the year but new methods, corresponding to those in force before the Act came into operation, will remedy this defect in the future. The figures available upon the amount of illness in the district are so meagre that it would be impossible to base any scientific conclusion upon them even in a general way. With a view however to obtaining some assessment of the amount of sickness prevalent in the insured portion of the population an approach was made to the local branch of the Ministry of National Insurance to obtain if possible some of these statistics. A grateful acknowledgement must be made to the Manager of the local branch of National Insurance for these figures which did give an idea of the days lost through illness or injury and which will be found in detail in the Report. Additionally from the Sickness Survey Report for 1950 issued by the Registrar-General information has been obtained which, by virtue that they are based upon the large figures from the whole country, can be accepted as reasonably accurate. They give an indication of the amount of sickness present and some expectation of the health of any district. This forms a new section of this Annual Report. Weather conditions, so important to the health — physical and mental of the population, are given in another new section. Another new addition to the Report is that of the Surveyor (Mr. Race), who has provided a survey which is appended, of those amenities of the district which during the year have been extended, improved or maintained and which are so necessary to preserve the health of body and mind of any district. In the body of this Report, moreover, will be found those statistics supplied by the Registrar- General and by the County Public Health Department which deal with Births, Deaths and the sectionalised mortality figures. It will be observed in the Registrar-General’s statistics that he has reintroduced the comparability factors for birth rates and death rates. These factors were not issued during the war. They 4 enable corrected figures to be established for this district, for sex and age composition which can be compared on equal terms with any other district in the Country. The Birth Rate showed a decrease upon the previous year and the Death Rate was also lower. The death rate from Pulmonary Tuberculosis also showed a decrease. The Infantile Mortality Rate again reached a record low level and there were no deaths connected with childbirth. On the whole the health of the District was satisfactory in 1950. Measles of a mild type but highly infectious, again infected large numbers of children towards the end of the year. This was part of a wide spread epidemic affecting the Northern Counties. Whooping Cough also was prevalent but of a mild type. Both these diseases of late years have tended to become milder in type and no longer to cause the large number of deaths which was so characteristic of similar epidemics in the past. Scarlet Fever produced a number of cases of a mild type of disease, sporadic in distribution and never in epidemic form. The number of cases was about average. There were no cases of Diphtheria and none of Poliomyelitis. There was a small outbreak of Food Poisoning causing illness of a mild type and a transient character. The low temperatures of the summer of 1950 undoubtedly reduced the number of cases of Food Poisoning. Many cases are never reported, especially when they occur singly. It must again be stressed that the quality of food supplied to the community is inferior to that of before the war, and constant vigilance must be exercised to prevent the occurrence of outbreaks of food poisoning. The new Byelaws add to the armentarium of the Health Department in this respect, but they still provide insufficient powers of control. The education of those who handle food in hygienic methods is a prime necessity. All the environmental services of the Health Department have been continued throughout the year. The supervision over the bacterial quality of milk supplied to the district was constant, and the progress made in this respect in past years maintained. The supervision of the production of milk at the farms, now no longer under the jurisdiction of the local authority, so far as information went, was not carried out with the same diligence as in former years. The table of five decades is again provided and brought up to date. Mention must also be made of the action of the Council to obtain By-laws to ensure the better control of smoke emission. It is hoped that these will be approved in the course of 1951. The provision of new houses of suitable types is still lagging behind the demand, not through any lack of initiative or drive on the part of the Council but through the meagreness of the quota allocated by the Ministry. Physical Characteristics of the Area The district is quadrangular in shape with an average width East to West of 3J miles, and a length North to South of 2\ miles. There is a gentle slope from South East to South West. In the South East the height above sea level is 80 feet, falling in the North West to 23 feet above the same level. About two miles of the northern boundary is formed by the River Ribble. This part of the river is tidal in almost all of its length. The River Darwen flowing through a valley in the northern part of the district, joins the Ribble at the North Western Boundary of the area. Geologically the district lies on Triassic sandstone upon which are placed a Lower Clay Layer, a layer of Drift Sand and an Upper Boulder Clay Layer. The base of rock forms an inclined plane which dips downwards towards the sea. Outcrops of this rock are found in beds of the Ribble and Darwen. In the Boulder Clay Layers stones are found of varying sizes, which are mainly of Lakeland origin. In 5 the Drift Sand layer deposits of gravel are found. The layers of the Glacial Drift fill the valleys, but the hill tops are usually free of Drift. The thickness of the various layers varies in different parts of the district ; towards the western side the three layers approximate 100 feet in thickness, but in most parts of the district the Upper Boulder Clay is 10 feet, the Drift Sand 9 feet, and the Lower Boulder Clay 2 feet upwards. The island formed between the two rivers contains large alluvial deposits which provides a rich soil for market gardening. Social Conditions and Amenities of the Area The district is partly industrial and partly residential. The industries are cotton manufacture, engineering, market gardening, dairy farming, and corn milling. In the area there are eleven churches, covering most types of religion, and attached to these churches are Sunday Schools, and in many cases Church Halls. In these halls particularly in the winter months, are held lectures, concerts, dramatic society meetings, plays, and in most cases dances. There are nine clubs in the district, some political, some religious, and others non-sectarian, where games of a competitive character can be played such as billiards, darts, dominoes, etc. A tennis club, a table tennis club and a cricket club also are established in the area. On the playing fields, five in number, football and cricket can be played in the proper season, and there are three football clubs. A Dramatic Society encourages the arts in the district and there is quite a flourishing Debating Society. To encourage and to improve the mind still further, there is a County Council Library with four branches dispersed throughout the district. Meteorological Conditions I am indebted to Dr. Barocas of the Jeremiah Horrocks’ Observatory, Preston, for these statistics. The year 1950 was one of the wettest, if not the wettest, of recent years. The total rainfall was 45.75 inches, the average being 37.58 inches, thus recording 8.17 inches more than usual. August was the wettest month of the year with 7.98 inches of rain which fell on 20 days in that month and this was followed by 6.78 inches in September with 27 rain days. March and May were the two dry months of the year with 1.63 inches falling on 15 days and 1.47 inches on 1 1 days respectively. February and November were also wet months. The greatest rainfall on any one day was 1.34 inches on August 20th. Altogether rain fell on 218 days and of these 171 were really wet. Most of the rain in this district was brought by winds from the South, South West and West which were prevalent on 81, 76 and 45 days in the year respectively. From the North, North West and North East winds came on 14, 40 and 26 days. Easterly and South Easterly winds were present on 33 and 35 days respectively. There were only 15 calm days (i.e. without wind) in the year and these were in October, November and December, the common months for fog. 6 Table of Weather Summary, 1950 Month Rainfall Inches Number of Rain Days Sunshine Hours Prevailing Wind Days January . 2.42 15 9.0 S.E. 9 February . 4.47 17 53.5 S. 12 March . 1.63 15 92.8 S. 7 W. 7 April . 3.23 22 142.5 N.W. 8 May . 1.47 11 191.0 N.E. 13 June . 2.43 17 198.9 S.W. 9 July . 3.55 16 172.5 S.W. 9 August . 7.98 20 139.1 S. 14 September . 6.78 27 86.7 S.W. 11 October . 3.10 17 74.8 S.W. 9 November ... . 5.39 20 46.7 N.W. 7 December . 3.30 21 31.3 S.W. 6 rF Afplc JL V/ LCli O • e • ••• ••• • • • 45.75 218 1248.8 — The Hutton Meteorological Station have kindly supplied certain of these figures. Statistics Area in Acres . 4,761 Population (census 1931) . 12,718 Registrar General’s estimate of resident population (mid 1950) ... 14,900 Number of inhabited houses (census 1931) . 3,314 Number of inhabited houses (rate book 1950) . 4,472 Rateable Value . £70,857 Sum represented by a Penny Rate . £280 Vital Statistics Live Births : — Male Female Total Legitimate . 128 100 228 Illegitimate . 5 — 5 Total . 133 100 233 Birth rate per 1,000 estimated population (mid 1950) crude . 15.6 Birth rate per 1,000 estimated population (mid 1950) adjusted ... 15.0 Still Births : — Legitimate . . . Illegitimate ... T rvtp] __ O 9 X v/ LCU ••• • » • ••• ••• ••• ^ Rate per 1,000 total (live and still) births . 9 Comparability factor for births . ' . 0.96 Male Female Total 7 Deaths of Infants under one year of age : — Male Female Total Legitimate . 4 1 5 Illegitimate . — — — Total 4 1 5 Deaths of Infants under four weeks of age ( Neo-natal deaths ) : — Male Female Total Legitimate . 1 1 2, Illegitimate . — — — T otal ... ... ... ... ... 1 1 2 Death rate of Infants under one year of age : — Infantile Mortality — All Infants per 1,000 live births . Legitimate Infants per 1,000 legitimate live births Illegitimate Infants per 1,000 illegitimate live births Neo-Natal Mortality — Deaths of Infants under four weeks of age Mortality rate per 1,000 live births . ... 21 ... 22 ... Nil ... 2 ... 9 Deaths : — Male Female Total 77 73 150 Death rate per 1,000 estimated population (mid 1950) crude ... ... 10.1 Death rate per 1,000 estimated population (mid 1950) adjusted ... 11.1 Comparability factor for deaths . . . 1.10 Maternal Mortality Deaths from pregnancy, childbirth and abortion Mortality rate per 1,000 total (live and still) births Death rate per 1,000 population from Cancer . Death rate per 1,000 population from Pulmonary Tuberculosis Deaths from Diarrhoea (under 2 years of age) . ... Nil ... Nil ... 1.27 ... 0.13 ... Nil Comparative Table. Per 1000 of Population Maternal Mortality Rate Infantile Mortality Rate Live Birth Rate Crude Death Rate Death Rate from Pulmonary Tuberculosis Death Rate from Cancer Per 1000 Live Births Per 1000 Total Live and Still Births Of 5 years, 1945-1949 18.3 11.8 0.27 1.79 3.11 3.02 44 Year 1949 . 17.3 10.3 0.20 1.49 7.84 7.63 24 Year 1950 . 15.6 10.1 0.13 1.27 Nil Nil 21 Increase or decrease in 1950 On 5 years average 1945-1949 — 2.7 —1.7 —0.14 — 0.52 —3.11 —3.02 —23 Previous Year . —1.7 —0.2 —0.07 —0.22 —7.84 —7.63 —3 Lancashire . 15.1 12.8 0.28 1.97 1.04 1.01 33 England and Wales . 15.8 11.6 0.32 1.95 — 0.86 30 Comment has already been made upon these statistics but the fall in the Infantile Mortality Rate is remarkable, it can only be attributed to years of hard work at the Welfare Centres where correct methods of baby management have been taught and the young mothers of today are benefiting from what their mothers learnt at those Centres in the past. 8 A table analysing the causes of death in 1950 is given below : — Analysis of Causes of Death, 1950 Diseases of the Heart — Male Female Total Coronary Disease — Angina ... ... 15 2 17 Hypertension with Heart Disease ... 1 3 4 Other Heart Diseases ... ... 16 15 31 Diseases of the Circulation (other) ... 1 4 5 Vascular Lesions of Nervous System . ... 8 8 16 Bronchitis ... 8 6 14 Pneumonia ... ... ... . ... 2 1 3 Other Respiratory Diseases ... 2 1 3 Pulmonary Tuberculosis ... . . . — 2 2 Malignant Diseases (all sites) ... 5 14 19 Diabetes . . . . . . — 1 1 Ulcer of Stomach and Duodenum . ... 3 — 3 Gastritis, Enteritis and Diarrhoea . ... 2 1 3 Nephritis and Nephrosis ... ... 1 1 o jU Hyperplasia of Prostate ... 2 — 2 Congenital Malformations ... . ... 1 1 2 Other Infective and Parasitic Diseases . . . — 2 2 Other defined and ill-defined Diseases ... ... 7 7 14 Motor Vehicle Accidents ... ... . . ... 1 — 1 All other Accidents . ... 1 2 3 Suicide ... 1 2 3 77 73 150 As a matter of interest 94 of these deaths occurred in persons over the age of 65, of whom 41 were male and 53 female. Two of the females reached the age of 95 and 97 respectively. A Table is given below showing some comparative figures over the last sixty years. Six decades are given. Tables of Six Decades. Per 1000 Population Enteric Fever Diphtheria Scarlet Fever i Deaths from Diarrhoea Infantile Mortality Rate Period Phthisis Death Rate Birth Rate Death Rate Cases Deaths Cases Deaths Cases Deaths Ten Years 1891-1900 30.8 18.9 1.25 133 27 46 16 211 15 122 188 1901-1910 26.3 14.7 0.95 116 21 98 15 291 16 58 128 1911-1920 18.7 13.7 0.91 54 5 166 16 565 11 46 107 1921-1930 16.0 12.0 0.72 7 0 66 5 310 0 11 64 1931-1940 14.0 12.7 0.44 5 2 47 3 414 0 5 56 1941-1950 16.5 12.28 0,33 0 0 27 1 280 0 6 42 Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Comment has already been made upon the decreased death rate from this type of the disease. There were no deaths from Non-pulmonary Tuberculosis. Bronchitis and Pneumonia. The number of deaths from both these causes showed a decrease upon those of the previous year. 9 Cancer. Fewer deaths occurred from this group of diseases than in 1949. There has been an alteration in the classification of these diseases which renders scientific comparison difficult. Other Causes of Death. Diseases of the Heart again produced the largest number of deaths. The large number of fatalities from Coronary Diseases is not without significance in these days of stress and strain. Infantile Mortality. Five deaths occurred as compared with six in the previous year giving once again a record low rate of mortality. Even of those deaths two would appear to have been preventable. 1950 Cause of Death Under 1 week 1-2 weeks 2-3 weeks 3-4 weeks 4 weeks to 3 months 3-6 months 6-9 months 9-12 months Total deaths under year Acute Gastritis... 1 1 Spina Bifida — — — — — 1 — — 1 Lobar pneumonia — 1 — — — — — — 1 Prematurity 1 — — — — — 1 — — 2 Total 1 1 — — - — 2 — 1 5 Maternal Mortality. There were no deaths connected with pregnancy. GENERAL PROVISIONS OF HEALTH SERVICES OF THE AREA. Public Health Staff Medical Officer of Health Other Appointments ... Chief Sanitary Inspector Other Appointments . Additional Sanitary Inspector Public Vaccinator . Certifying Factory Surgeon ... G. G. Wray, M.D., Ch.B., D.P.H. M.O.H., Fulwood U.D.C. Nicholas Baron, Cs.R.San.I., A.M.Ints.P.C. Cleansing Superintendent. G. N. Corbishley, Cs.R.San.I., M.S.I.A. Dr. Howard, Penwortham. Dr. Logan, Leven House, Bamber Bridge. County Council Services in the Area Midwifery Service Two midwives were employed numbers were : — Mrs. Dobbie, Chorley Road, Bamber Bridge. wholetime in this area. Their names, addresses and telephone Miss A. J. Scandrett, Beauthorn, Higher Walton Road, Walton-le-Dale. Tel. 85280. Tel. 4783. Ambulance Service A station in the buildings of the Urban District Council was employed. One ambulance and one sitting case car were sited there. 10 According to the Annual Report of the Divisional Medical Officer 491 emergencies, 4,152 general cases and 40 infectious diseases were carried. As the vehicles at this station cover parts of the Rural Districts around the Urban District and are used for conveying patients from other areas as well, the numbers given above are not indicative of the ambulance requirements of the Urban District. Domiciliary Nursing Service Three nurses were employed in the area to carry out the duties. The number of visits made and the amount of work carried out by these nurses increased during the year under review by almost twenty per cent. Ante-Natal Clinic Meetings were held fortnightly at the School Clinic in Brindle Road, Bamber Bridge. Examinations were made, advice given, and treatment where necessary, under the guidance of Mr. Wiseman, specialist from the Maternity Section of Preston Royal Infirmary. Cases of disproportion, unsuitable home conditions, or for other causes were admitted to the Maternity Hospitals at Preston Royal Infirmary or Sharoe Green Hospital. Twenty-four sessions were held, 78 mothers attended on 251 occasions. Where mothers required dental treatment this was given by the School Dentist at the Clinic. After parturition mothers who required further advice or medical attention attended at the Ante- Natal Clinic. Seven mothers visited the Clinic on seven occasions for these purposes. All these figures show a reduction in number as compared with those of the previous year. This reduction may be incidental or it may be part of the general desire of mothers to attend at hospitals for their parturition. Child Welfare Centre A meeting was held each Thursday afternoon with an Assistant Divisional Medical Officer and a Health Visitor in attendance. The Centre was held at the School Clinic in Brindle Road. Every baby in attendance received a full medical examination and a history made of its progress and health state. This history eventually accompanies the child to School. Parents in attendance received advice upon infant care and management and treatment for the baby when required given or arranged for at hospital. During the year the number in attendance was : — Under 1 year 1 to 2 years ... 2 to 5 years ... Individual Children Attendances 186 1,171 27 250 20 202 The Centre met on 49 occasions. For the convenience of those mothers who found the journey to Brindle Road inconvenient, another Child Welfare Centre was established at Lostock Hall some four years ago. Whilst not so popular as that at Bamber Bridge, it has yielded good results. Twenty-two sessions were held in 1950 and the attendances were : — Individual Children Under 1 year 1 to 2 years ... 2 to 5 years ... 56 7 16 Attendances 251 65 74 11 In addition to the service provided at the Child Welfare Centre the Health Visitor visited the homes of many babies either to ensure that the advice given at the Centre was being carried out or to visit those mothers and babies who were unable to visit the Centres or who did not desire to do so. The School Medical Service In addition to routine medical and nursing inspections at the Schools, the School Clinic was available for inspections for the treatment of Minor Ailments, for Dental Treatment and for the treatment of Eye conditions. Minor Ailments. Sessions were held for the treatment of conditions of the skin, ear, eye, nose and throat, or for injuries twice weekly (Monday and Thursday). School children and those under school age received treatment, and parents who accompanied the children received advice not only upon the health of their children but upon their general management. 187 children of school age attended on 658 occasions. 5 children under school age attended on 11 occasions. Ophthalmic Clinic was held fortnightly for the treatment of defective vision and squint. Dr. Plumb of the Preston Royal Infirmary staff was the visiting Ophthalmic Surgeon under the County Scheme. In 1950 113 children of school age attended on 182 occasions. Nine children under school age attended on 16 occasions. Dental Clinic. Children attending school as well as those of the pre-school age attended for inspection and treatment. It has been noted above that expectant or nursing mothers also received treatment. The number of children attending for treatment was 617 and the number of attendances 1,050. Treatment to preserve the teeth was the treatment of choice but it was necessary to extract many carious teeth. 968 children were inspected for dental conditions at the Clinic. 23 children under 5 years of age attended for treatment on 43 occasions. Orthopaedic Clime. This was held at Leyland and the children of this area suffering from paralysis or deformity were referred to this Clinic. An Orthopaedic Surgeon from Manchester attended monthly and a County Orthopaedic Nurse was in attendance weekly to give exercises, adjust appliances or splints, or put on plaster where necessary. Special Defects Blind Children were sent to Henshaw’s Blind School at Manchester. Partially Sighted Children to the Partially Sighted School at Fulwood. Deaf and Dumb Children were sent to the Royal Cross School, Preston. Mentally Defective Children, after certification, became the responsibility of the Regional Hospital Board, the higher graded ones remained the responsibility of the County Council. Tuberculosis. The dispensary for patients from this area was at Walton’s Parade, Preston. It was provided by the County Council and the Tuberculosis Health Visitors in attendance were also County Staff. The Medical Officer was supplied by the Regional Hospital Board. Examinations, treatment, X-ray and light treatment and X-ray for diagnosis were given at this dispensary. General Diseases It has already been noted at the beginning of this Report that the information upon the diseases and disabilities affecting the inhabitants of the area was insufficient to render possible any scientific comments. The Local Manager of the Ministry of National Insurance has, however, kindly supplied me 12 with certain figures which enable part of the health picture to be painted. These figures give the weekly number of persons making new claims throughout the year on account of sickness or injury. It will be appreciated that these figures relate only to the insured portion of the population and have no bearing upon the disabilities of those below and above the insured ages. A table is given below showing the weekly averages in each month of the year. Number of new claims per week in : — Sickness Injury January 53.2 3.0 February 52.2 2.7 March 76.0 5.2 April . 55.0 3.2 May . 37.0 1.8 June ... 39.7 1.7 July . 35.0 3.5 August 30.0 1.6 September . . . 32.7 1.7 October 31.0 1.2 November . . . 43.7 1.7 December 32.0 2.7 It is interesting to note that those months January, February, March, April and November — the months usually associated with catarrhal diseases show the greatest number of absentees from work. December, a month in the same group, shows a lower figure, possibly on account of the Christmas break. In future it is hoped that it might be possible to increase the value of this table by an account of the weather conditions prevailing in those months. It will also be noted that March was the worst month in the year for injuries as well as for sickness and that the three months following the holiday period, i.e., August, September and October, all show low rates of illness and low rates of injury. The average amount of time that each claimant was absent from work on account of sickness was approximately 4\ weeks, so that the above table must be increased that number of times to arrive at the number of persons absent from work in any one week. Self employed persons are not included in these figures. The Registrar General’s Survey of Sickness showed that in 1950 for the whole Country the average amount of sickness per 100 persons in the quarters of the year was as given in the table below : — Age 16 — 64 Over 65 With a With a Days With a With a Days Quarter New Continued of New Continued of Illness Illness Incapacity Illness Illness Incapacity January, February, March 45.1 22.3 112 42.4 41.1 77 April, May, June . 40.0 24.3 81 40.0 44.8 76 July, August, September 39.6 23.4 68 38.9 44.3 66 October, November, December... 48.4 20.0 96 46.1 37.8 68 The illnesses were of a minor character in some 70% of these cases, but those of a more serious character were approximately double in the over 65’s to what they were in the 16 — 64 group. In all types of illnesses and in both age groups, females showed higher figures than males. Influenza and colds ac¬ counted for the largest number of cases in all groups and sexes, particularly in the 1st and 4th quarters of 13 the year. Respiratory Diseases and Rheumatism caused increased absences from work in the same quarters and together approximated the numbers due to Influenza and Colds. Diseases of the Heart and Arteries naturally caused more absenteeism in the older ages ; the fourth quarter of the year showed the largest figures. Hospitals. The hospitals available for the more serious conditions are those under the local jurisdiction of the Preston and District Hospitals Management Committee. They are : — (1) Preston Royal Infirmary (2) Sharoe Green Hospital (3) Chorley Hospital (4) Eaves Lane Hospital, Chorley. In addition there are annexes attached to this group of hospitals for continuation, convalescent or specialised treatment. One of these — Lostock Hall Convalescent Home — -is situated in this Urban District. All these hospitals were extensively used by patients from this area. Outside the national hospitals there is St. Joseph’s Hospital, Mount Street, Preston, where beds are available for Medical, Surgical and Maternity cases. At Preston Royal Infirmary there is a unit for the use of patients suffering from Malignant Diseases staffed by personnel from the Christie Hospital for Cancer, Manchester. Operative X-ray and Radium treatment are available. Cases of Venereal Disease attended the Special Clinic at Preston Royal Infirmary. There are Maternity blocks or beds at Preston Royal Infirmary, Sharoe Green Hospital, Chorley Hospital and Eaves Lane Hospital. The Prevalence and Control of Infectious Disease _ * The hospitals available for these diseases were : — Deepdale Infectious Diseases Hospital Preston, and Heath Charnock Infectious Diseases Hospital, Chorley. Thirty-eight cases of Scarlet Fever were admitted to hospital in 1950. There were no deaths amongst these patients but three of the cases of Pneu¬ monia notified died. Notifiable Diseases (other than Tuberculosis) Notifiable Diseases T otal Cases Notified Total Deaths Ho spital Total Cases at all Ages Under 1 year 1- year 3- years 5- years 10- years 15- years 25- years 45- years Over 65 years Total cases removed to Hospital Deaths in 1 Hospital Scarlet Fever . 45 • • • 6 12 14 10 2 1 • • • • • • 38 Measles . 62 1 9 20 32 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Whooping Cough 69 3 21 20 23 2 • • • • • • • • • • • • Acute Pneumonia 8 • • • • • • 2 1 • • • 1 1 1 2 Dysentery . 5 • • • 1 2 1 • • • 1 • • • • • • • • • Erysipelas . 1 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 • • • • • • Food Poisoning 9 • • • « • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 4 2 3 • • • T otal ... ... 199 4 37 56 71 12 4 7 3 5 « • • 38 Nil 14 The total number of cases notified was 81 less than in 1949, the reduction being in the Measles and Whooping Cough cases, whereas the number of cases of Scarlet Fever showed an increase. There were more cases of Pneumonia and of Food Poisoning than in the previous year. Immunisation against Diphtheria This is now the responsibility of the County Council, delegated to the Health Division. 100 children under school age were immunised and 33 of school age ; almost exactly the same number as the previous year. 184 children received a reinforcing dose, 61 less than the previous year. Doubtless other children in the district have been immunised privately in addition to these numbers given, but there are no official records of these. Vaccination against Smallpox This also is the responsibility of the Health Division. From the Divisional Medical Officer’s Report apparently 55 children received successful primary vaccination and 19 successful revaccination. These numbers are insufficient to protect the population against the spread of Smallpox if this disease should unfortunately appear in the district. Tuberculosis On the register at the end of the year there were 43 cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis and 39 cases of Non-Pulmonary Tuberculosis which compared with 44 and 29 respectively in 1949. There were 20 notifications in the year, 10 Respiratory and 10 Non-Respiratory and 3 deaths, all Respiratory, occurred. Eight persons were removed from the register as “ recovered,” “ diagnosis not confirmed ” or “ left the district.” The table below gives an analysis of the notifications and of the deaths. New Cases Deaths i Non- Non- Age Periods Respiratory Respiratory Respiratory Respiratory Years M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. 0 . • • • • • • • • • • • • • 9 • • • • • • • 1 . • • • • • • 1 • • • • • • 2 . • • • 1 • • • 1 • • • 5 . 1 • • • 1 1 • • • 10 . • • • • • • 1 2 • • • 15 . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 20 . 1 • • • • • • • • • • • • 25 . 2 1 1 • • • 0 • • 35 . 1 • • • • • • 2 • • • 45 . 1 • • • • • • • • • 1 • • • 55 . • • • 1 • • • • • • 2 • • • 65 . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 75 and upwards • • • 1 • • • • • • • • • Totals 6 V - 4 f 4 v - 6 r - ' 1 V, _ ■ 2 - ' • • • - - • • A - / 10 10 3 15 Inspection and Supervision of Food Attention has already been drawn to the adoption by the Council of the model Byelaws of the Ministry of Food for the better hygiene of food sale and storage. Copies of these Byelaws were issued to every retailer of food in the district accompanied by a letter explaining the provisions of these Byelaws and the necessity of their observance. Opportunity was taken to point out that better standards of hygiene were necessary in the handling and storage of food. Milk and Milk Production At the beginning of this Report, attention was drawn to the changes in the control of milk produc¬ tion at the farms and to the fact that the local authority’s position has been very much weakened at that point — indeed almost lost. So far as information can be obtained the number of inspections at the farm, so essential to sound methods of hygienic production, have been very much less than in previous years when under the local authority scheme. Meantime the efforts of the Health Department have been devoted, as in past years, to constant vigilance over the purity of the milk consumed by the inhabitants of the area. In 1950 there were, so far as can be ascertained, 64 dairy farms in the district with approximately 1,200 cows, and the number of cowkeepers was also 64. The number of milk purveyors (other than cowkeepers) was 13, 9 sited in the district and 4 outside. One dealer was licensed to bottle Tuberculin Tested Milk and 9 to distribute it. One dealer was licensed to distribute Accredited Milk. There was one Pasteurising plant in the district and there were 7 dealers licensed to distribute pasteurised milk and 1 to distribute sterilised milk. One new dairy was built in the district during the year. During the year 160 samples of milk were taken. Of these 139 were samples of raw milk, 70 being from local producers and 69 from producers outside the district. 53 of the local products and 29 of the outside were satisfactory. The remaining 57 were unsatisfactory. 21 samples of Pasteurised Milk were taken, examined and found all to be satisfactory. All these 160 samples were examined for the presence of the Tubercle Bacillus. 156 were found to be free and 4 contained the Bacillus (one local and 3 outside the district). All positive samples were referred to the County Medical Officer of Health and through him to the Ministry of Agriculture for investigation. As all these milks were pasteurised before delivery to the public it was not necessary to issue certificates of instruction for this to be carried out. It has already been indicated that it is no longer the duty of the local sanitary authority to inspect the farms. 16 For the purpose of illustrating the work carried out by the Department over the past years the table below is given. Year Samples taken from Producers in the District Samples taken from Produ¬ cers outside the District Samples of Pasteurised Milk Total Satis¬ factory Unsatis¬ factory T.B. present Satis¬ factory Unsatis¬ factory T.B. present Satis¬ factory Unsatis¬ factory T.B. present 1940 ... 6 1 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 7 1941 ... 8 14 2 • • • 3 3 5 1 30 1942 ... 16 1 • • • 1 • • • • • • 4 1 22 1943 ... 20 20 2 8 10 1 11 69 1944 ... 30 24 • • • 21 40 6 19 134 1945 ... 21 15 • • • 13 41 5 13 103 1946 ... 30 15 1 15 26 4 14 100 1947 ... 41 20 3 26 29 3 12 128 1948 ... 65 30 5 40 48 4 14 197 1949 ... 85 15 1 26 27 3 15 168 1950 ... 53 17 1 29 40 3 21 160 Total 375 172 15 179 264 32 128 2 • • • 1118 Tuberculosis Order, 1938 The four samples of milk found to contain the Tubercle Bacillus were reported to the Ministry of Agriculture through the channels already indicated. After investigation and frequent sampling four cows were found to be infected and were slaughtered under the Order. No cows had been sold from the herds prior to the investigations and sampling proved all the rest of the cows in the herds to be free of the Bacillus. Ice Cream As in past years strict supervision was kept upon the purity of the product and the conditions under which it is served, sold and stored. A survey was made of all the establishments which manufactured ice cream in the district, 10 in number. Where any defects of preparation, storage or serving was detected it was pointed out and the remedy suggested at the time of inspection. The number of retailers selling loose ice cream was 13. 20 dealers sold prewrapped ice cream. The number of manufacturers outside the district who supplied retailers in the district was 10. Efforts were made to persuade all dealers in ice cream, particularly those serving loose ice cream, to sterilise their utensils in suitable detergents and most of them complied with this request. The table below shows the results of the samples taken : — Wrapped Ice Cream Loose Ice Cream Month Number Grade Number Grade I II III IV I II III IV June . 4 1 0 1 2 8 2 3 2 1 July . 4 1 1 2 0 6 4 1 0 1 August . 2 1 0 1 0 5 2 2 1 0 September . 8 3 5 0 0 1 1 — — — October . 6 2 0 1 3 0 — — — — T otals ... ... ... ... 24 8 6 5 5 20 9 6 3 2 17 Milk in Schools Scheme All the schools in the district received daily supplies of milk. Practically all this milk was heat treated. All the samples tested were free from the Tubercle Bacillus and bacteriologically satisfactory. Meat and Other Foods No cows or sheep were slaughtered in the district in 1950. Condemnation of Food Unfit for Human Consumption The total amount of food found to be unfit for human consumption during the year was 19 cwts. 24 lbs. This amount included 18 cwts. 25 lbs. of tinned food and 1 cwt. 26 lbs. of meat and other foods. Food and Pure Drugs (Adulteration) Act, 1928 Samples were taken by the Sampling Officers of the County Public Health Department, (the County Council is the responsible authority) and the results are given below. A total of 130 samples was obtained, of these 105 were milk and the 25 others comprised : — 3 Arrowroot 2 Borax 2 Parrish’s Chemical Food 1 Beef Sausage 1 Aspirin Tablets 2 Ice Cream 1 Lard 1 Margarine 1 Sponge Cake 1 Lemon Curd 1 Olive Oil 1 Bicarbonate of Soda 1 Self Raising Flour 1 Carrots, canned 1 Flour 2 Bacon 1 Cheese 1 Sugar 1 Eccles Cake All the above the following : — Sample 1 informal milk ... 1 informal milk ... 1 Lard . 1 informal milk ... 1 informal milk ... 1 informal milk ... samples were cernnea Result of Analysis Action Taken Deficient 2.3% solids-not-fat. The freezing Formal samples obtained, point indicated the presence of 5.3% of extraneous water. Deficient 2.9% solids-not-fat. The freezing Formal samples obtained, point indicated the presence of 6.7% of extraneous water. Consisted of Cooking Fat . Vendor communicated with Deficient 3.3% fat . Deficient 2.3% solids-not-fat. Freezing point indicated the presence of 3.5% of extra¬ neous water. Deficient 3.5% solids-not-fat. Freezing point indicated the presence of 3.5% of extra¬ neous water. J Vendor notified. ► Same Vendor. Formal samples obtained. 18 Water Engineer’s Report for the Year 1950 Supply of Water. From Manchester and Preston Corporations. Area Supplied. The Statutory area of compulsory supply covers the area of Walton-le-Dale. In addition supplies in bulk are furnished to Chorley Rural District Council, (Parishes of Hoghton, Brindle, and Cuerden). The Estimated Population Supplied Walton-le-Dale . . 14,972 Gregson Lane (Brindle Parish) . 72 15,044 The remaining out of District consumers are all supplied with water by meter. Quantity Supplied Gallons Taken from Thirlmere at both Meter Houses ... Consumed by meter en route to Reservoir 237,029,000 1,374,000 Total Thirlmere delivered in District Taken by meter from Preston Corporation 235,655,000 16,929,000 Total Quantity of Water delivered in District . Total Quantity of Water consumed by meter outside District 252,584,000 5,188,000 Total Quantity of Water retained in Reservoirs, Dec. 31st 1950 247,396,000 552,000 246,844,000 Total Quantity of Water consumed by meter inside district . 93,200,000 Total Quantity of Water supplied for all purposes . Total Quantity of Water supplied for all purposes per day . . Total Quantity of Water supplied per head per day for all purposes ... Total Quantity of Water supplied per head including trade ... 153,644,000 420,939 28.115 45.132 Distribution During the year the following lengths of Spun Iron Water Main have been laid : — 4 inch Spun Iron Watermain ... • . 370 yds. 3 inch Spun Iron Watermain . . 146 yds. 2 inch Spun Iron Watermain . 27 yds. Total number of Ball Hydrant Conversions to Valve type Hydrants ... 70 Total number of connections made to the Council’s Watermains ... 78 The usual flushing out and cleansing of watermains and services was carried out during the year. During the year the fixing of Fire Hydrant Identification Posts and Plates was commenced. Waste Detection During the year the usual night and day inspections were carried out for the detection of waste water. 19 1092 Inspections of houses and other property. 844 Taps were rewashered free of cost. 244 Cisterns were rewashered free of cost. 158 Burst water services were dealt with. 15 Burst water mains were repaired. Quality of the Water In the year two samples of water were taken for examination : — One for Chemical Examination ; One for Bacteriological Examination. In both cases the supply being given as satisfactory. Drains and Sewerage The area was well sewered but some of the outskirts were still unsewered. The sewage works were overloaded and the design not up to modern standards. All the new housing sites were linked up to the system. The plans for alterations and extensions of the whole system have not yet been put into operation. In spite of the wet year, no flooding was experienced. Closet Accommodation During the year there were 33 conversions to water closets, 2 from privies, 16 from pails and 15 from waste water. The table below analyses the position and illustrates the great improvement that has been made in the past few years. 1910 1918 1939 1949 1950 No of privy closets ... . ... 621 255 26 4 2 No. of pail closets . ... 1093 973 165 139 123 No. of waste water closets . ... 345 327 264 211 196 No. of fresh water closets . ... 694 1267 3670 4010 4101 No. of houses with dry ashpits ... 1499 994 51 49 47 No. of houses with ash pails ... 1058 1632 4012 4302 4362 Public Cleansing The service continued to work satisfactorily throughout the year. Motor vehicles were used only. The refuse was disposed on the Council’s tip and controlled. Extension of the tip will soon be required, The details of the work undertaken and amount of waste dealt with will be found in Mr. Baron’s report which is appended. Sanitary Inspections The number of inspections made in 1950 was 2,113. The number of defects found under the Public Health Acts was 292 and 274 were abated. Factories and Bakehouses 78 visits were made to factories in the district. 1 1 defects under Sec. 1-7 of the Act were discovered and 8 of these were abated. The canteens attached to certain mills were inspected regularly. All the bakehouses were inspected regularly. 20 Playing Fields These were available in Higher Walton, Lostock Hall, and Walton-le-Dale. The temporary playing fields at Bamber Bridge opened in 1948 were also available. Housing and Housing Conditions New houses erected in the district in 1950 numbered 70, 58 by the Council and 12 by other persons. The number of unsatisfied applicants at the end of the year was 410, 350 from residents in the district and 60 from outside. 26 houses were in course of erection by the Council, and 7 by private enterprise at the end of the year. The future programme contemplates the provision of 150 houses in Meanygate, 12 houses in Brown Lane, 6 in Highfield Avenue and 2 in Hoghton Lane. The number of dwelling houses inspected for defects was 425 and for this purpose 802 visits were made. Three houses were found to be unfit for human habitation and 9 not reasonably fit. Four houses were rendered fit as the result of informal action and 9 others were rendered fit as the result of notices served. Under the Public Health Acts 49 notices were served and 44 defects abated by the owners. Demolition orders were served on 3 houses. Ten were demolished as the result of these and orders in previous years. It was not yet allowed to schedule Clearance Areas in 1950. In addition 68 houses were disinfected for Infectious Diseases or for vermin. Further details will be found in Mr. Baron’s report. Private Streets and Back Passages The following streets and back passages were made up in the period under review : — Rosemeade Avenue Mayfield Avenue Ashworth Street (done privately) Arrangements have been made to curb, drain and make up : — Cedar Avenue Laburnum Avenue School Street Four Fields (will be done privately). Schools There are eleven schools in the area. Most of them are old but with the exception of two are satisfactory for light and ventilation. The school playgrounds are restricted in area. Two schools are to be built in the future which will relieve the overcrowding which at present exists in the schools. Thirteen visits of inspection were made to the schools in 1950. Sanitary conveniences at two of the Church Schools were improved. At one school the conveniences were entirely rebuilt and at the other the structure only was rebuilt for the girls and infants. One school kitchen at Lostock Hall was inspected regularly. Inspections The number of inspections made in 1950 have been noted under the respective sections. They have been numerous and at frequent intervals, a prime necessity if standards are to be preserved. Defects discovered were usually abated readily and it was not necessary to take legal action for any defect in 1950. 21 New Legislation in 1950 Shops Act 1950 (Consolidation of previous Shops Acts). Milk Regulations (Special Designations) Amendment Regulations. Milk Regulations (Special Designations) Pasteurised Milk. Food and Drugs (Milk Dairies and Artificial) Act. Public Health (Acute Poliomyelitis, Acute Encephalitis and Meningococcal Infection) Regulations 1950. Reports Appended (1) Report by the Chief Sanitary Inspector. (2) Report by the Surveyor. Report Included (1) Report by the Water Engineer. I desire to express my appreciation of the loyalty, good work and co-operation of the members of my staff. To all other officials of the authority, whose help has been always willingly given and whose co-operation I have received, I express my thanks. To the members of the Council from whom I have always received unfailing courtesy, encouragement and help I pay this grateful tribute. I have the honour to be. Your obedient Servant, August, 1950. G. G. WRAY. J 22 THE SANITARY INSPECTOR’S REPORT for the Year 1950 To the Chairman and Members of the Walton-le-Dale Urban District Council Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, I have pleasure in submitting the following report on the Sanitary Work carried out by the Health Department during the year 1950 : — One of the important aspects of the work concerns the essential repairs to dwellinghouses. The difficulties of getting the work carried out have increased during the year. The difficulties are many and have multiplied during the past six years since the war terminated. Not only were the majority of the working class houses in the district neglected during the war, due to insufficient labour and materials but this problem is still with us. Consequently complaints from occupiers have increased and although the builders were able for a time to cope with the repairs the position has become somewhat complex due to the large firms being engaged on large new buildings and housing and the smaller firms having a full quota of minor new and reconstruction work which is more profitable. In consequence appeals to these men to repair ordinary dwelling houses are very seldom answered. Whilst owners of property have in the main a desire to keep their property in a reasonable state of repair and are certainly anxious to carry out urgent work, their appeal to us to find them suitable contractors has only been partly successful. Quite a considerable time is spent in persuading these contractors to undertake this kind of work. Improvement in the speed in which repairs and renovations are carried out, will not be altered, until there is an increase in Building Labour, and material, and the Builders are freed from controls in the Building and renovation of dwelling houses, and competition is restored. Closet Conversion In the period under review 16 pails and 15 waste water closets and 2 privi middens were converted to W.C.s. The Closet accommodation in the district at the end of the year was : — - Fresh Water Closets — 4043. Pail Closets — 123. Waste Water Closets — 196. Privy Closets— -2. Sanitary Inspectors Visits Number of inspections of dwelling houses . . 346 Number of re-inspections of dwelling houses . . 261 Number of inspections of other houses (Verminous) . 38 Number of inspections of schools . . 11 Number of inspections of dairies and milkshops . 29 Number of inspections of food premises . . 22 Number of inspections of food . . 13 Number of inspections of factories . . 84 Number of inspections of drainage work . . 558 Number of general inspections . . 103 Number of salvage inspections . . 128 Number of drains tested ... . 75 Number of visits in connection with infectious disease . 34 Number of visits in connection with closet conversions ... 304 Inspections of ice cream premises.. . . 71 Number of inspections of smoke nuisances . 36 Total . ... ... 2113 23 FOOD The following is a Summary of Food found to be unfit for human consumption during the year : Tins. Description. T cwts. qrs. lbs ozs. 11 Evaporated Milk . 8 8 33 Condensed Milk . 1 13 0 4 Luncheon Meat . 7 8 3 Minced Beef Loaf . 3 4 2 Pork Beef Loaf . . . 1 8 8 Peas . 7 14 26 Jam . 22 4 2 Macaroni Cheese . 2 0 7 Plums . 12 2 1 Apple Puree . 1 11 1 Salmon . 1 0 276 Cherries (Stoned) . 17 2 0 0 1 Carrots . 0 14J 1 Shoulder Ham . 0 4 1 Crab Paste . 0 n 377 18 0 25 15 Other Foods — 2 Bottles of Vinegar . 2 8 18 Boxes of Dates . 1 0 12 1 Jar Pickles ... . 1 14 1 Jar Beetroot . 0 12 1 Packet Creamola Dessert . 0 ->4 1 Ham . . . 20 0 9 JL* otnl ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• 1 26 13 a4 T. C. qrs. lbs. ozs. — 18 2 25 15 of Tins of Food. — — 1 26 If of Meat and other food. Total ... — 19 0 24 Milk Summary of information with reference to Dairies and Licensed Purveyors, and the results of the examination of samples of Milk. Number of Dairies in the district . 7 Number of shops were milk is sold . 5 Number of Principal Licences issued for sale of Pasteurised Milk ... 11 Number of Licences issued for sale of Sterilized Milk . 1 Number of Supplementary Licences issued . 4 24 Analysis of Samples of Milk The total number of samples of milk taken in the district was 160, 139 of these samples were of raw milk and 21 were of pasteurised milk. Bacteriological Examination 139 were taken for bacteriological examination 70 were taken from producers in the district and of these 53 were satisfactory and 17 were unsatisfactory 69 were taken at the Milk Marketing Board from Producers outside the district. Of these, 29 were satisfactory and 40 were unsatisfactory. Tuberculosis Examination 139 samples of Milk were examined for Tuberculosis. 70 of the samples were taken from Producers in the district and of these 1 was found to be Tubercular. 69 were taken from Producers outside the district and of these 3 were found to be Tubercular. in addition 21 samples of Pasteurised Milk were taken for the full examination ; all were found to be satisfactory. Disinfections Number of dwelling houses disinfected . 57 Number of parcels of bedding disinfected . 636 Number of beds disinfected . 110 Number of books disinfected . 19 Number of beds destroyed . . ... 6 Number of schools disinfected . 0 made good Summary of notices served and work completed in compliance with the notices Defective gutters made good Defective roofs and rain-water conductors Defective sinks made good Defective floors made good Defective yard pavement made good Defective window frames made good Defective plaster work made good Dampness remedied . Miscellaneous defects remedied ... Defective W.C.s . Defective pail closets converted to W.C.s Defective closet buildings made good Premises redrained to sewer Additional W.C.s provided Dust bins provided . Chimney stacks rebuilt . 11 26 3 3 4 15 17 6 7 4 16 9 6 5 3 2 25 Dry rot irradicated . 4 Defective doors repaired . 2 Washing accommodation . 1 Defective drains remedied 128 Number of privi middens converted to W.C.s . 2 Accumulation of Refuse removed 1 Factories Act (improved sanitary accommodation) . ... 8 Total ••• ••• ••• • • • • • • ••• ... 283 Notices Served Complied with Outstanding Total Formal . 21 — 21 Informal . ... 170 19 189 Total ... 191 19 210 Rats and Mice Destruction Staff. There is one fully trained Rodent Operator employed part-time on this work. The work of surveying and treatment of premises has increased during the year. Over 503 visits have been paid to dwellings and business premises and poisoning campaigns have been carried out on 70 premises. Council Premises. The Refuse Tip at Hennel Lane has been treated on 6 occasions and the Sewage Works twice. 10 per cent, of all sewer manholes in the district have been treated for Rat Infesta¬ tion and over 100 baits laid. The sewers are free from any infestation and accordingly an exemption certificate has been granted by the Ministry of Agriculture for twelve months. Divisional Control. During the year three meetings have been attended of the Rodent Control Workable Area Committee No. 9. Report on the progress made and difficulties met with were discussed. Recommendation and adjustments in rodent control have been issued from time to time by the Infestation Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Poisons and Baits. The baits used were sausage rusk, stale bread mash and sugar meal. The poisons include Zinc Phosphide, Arsenic and Red Squill. Over 150 lbs. of bait and 3 lbs. of poison were used on Rodent Control. House Refuse— Collection and Disposal and Salvage Work The refuse and salvage is collected from six separate villages. The A.R.P. garage at the Old Isolation Hospital was used for the storing, sorting, and baling of salvage, and Hennel Lane Tip for the disposal of the refuse. This procedure will continue until the new salvage building which is in course of erection at Hennel Lane Tip is completed. The control method of tipping has been in operation for some years. The whole of the Refuse and Salvage Collection, including the drag work, is carried out by three motor vehicles. 26 The following table shows the amount of work carried out by the motor vehicles. Year Vehicle Employed No. of days Approximate Weight of Refuse Collected Total Miles Travelled Average Miles per Gallon 1950 One Dodge Two Karrier Motors 790 4788 Tons 23857 8.77 The following is the analysis of the Cost of Collection and Disposal of House Refuse and the col¬ lection and disposal of Salvage, showing the credit for Salvage for the year 1950. Cost per Day Total Cost £ s. d. £ s. d. Dodge Petrol Wagons . 877 11 1 ••• ••• ••• • • • ••• ••• ••• ••• 1033 9 3 Wages and Salaries (including Bonus, Superannuation and Insur^ncc^ • • • # • • • • • • • • • • • » • • • • • 3931 17 9 Loan Clisr^cs • • • ••• • • • • • • • • • ••• • • • 218 16 11 Materials and Miscellaneous Accounts . 143 12 2 Establishment . 202 8 1 Gross Total Cost ... £6440 2 0 Less Sale of Salvage Materials . . 2108 15 7 Less other Credits . — — 50 12 0 £2159 7 7 Net Cost • 9 • ••• ••• ••• £4280 14 5 Summary of Analysis. Year Ending Gross Expenditure Gross Income Nett Expenditure Population No. of Houses Scavenged Nett Cost Per 1,000 Houses Nett Cost Per House Per Week £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. d. 31st March, 1951 6440 2 0 2159 7 7 4280 14 5 14900 4472 £957 4.4 27 Comparative Cost of House Refuse Collection for the Years 1922, 1942, and 1950 Year No. of Houses Scavenged Gross cost of collection and disposal Amount received for salvage and other credits Nett cost of collection and disposal Wages of house refuse collectors and motor drivers Collectors Drivers 1922 2823 £2205 nil £2205 £2 per week £2/16 per week 1942 4126 £3044 £1158 £1885 £3/6/9 per wk. £4 per week 1950 4472 £6440 £2159 £4280 £5/9/6 per wk. £5/15/6 per wk. Collection and Sales of Salvage. The following table shows the tonnage and materials sold, and the amounts received for Salvage during the year 1950 : — Paper — Newspaper, Magazines, Mixed Paper . Textiles — Rags, Cloth, Carpets, Sacking and String ... Ferrous Metals — Cast Light and Heavy Iron . Non-Ferrous Metals — Copper, Brass, Aluminium, Lead . Kitchen Waste . Miscellaneous Sales . T otal ... ... ..< Bales T. C. qrts. lbs. £ s. d. 2641 ... 194 11 2 0 ... 1208 4 1 165 ... 10 13 2 1 ... 187 16 10 — ... 14 3 0 0 ... 43 11 0 _ A • • X 19 2 6 ... 160 10 5 — ... 190 19 2 0 ... 504 13 5 — 3 19 10 2806 ... 412 7 0 7 £2108 15 7 The Council commenced the collection of salvage in May, 1940. The following table shows the tonnage sold and the amounts received each year by the sales of salvaged materials : — Year T. C. qrts. lbs. £ s. d. 1940 ... ... 129 3 3 18 426 18 4 1941 ... ... 194 7 3 0 828 10 8 1942 ... ... 280 5 1 5 ... 1148 5 1 1943 ... ... 376 4 1 16 ... 1424 18 0 1944 ... ... 463 6 2 0 ... 1576 17 8 1945 ... ... 491 9 1 11 ... 1607 19 9 1946 ... ... 335 1 2 24 ... 1360 0 7 1947 ... ... 398 19 1 15 ... 1685 19 1 1948 ... ... 510 0 2 0 ... 2211 15 7 1949 ... ... 490 18 3 24 ... 2343 13 8 1950 ... • • • • • • ... 412 7 0 7 ... 2108 15 7 Total • • • ... 4082 4 3 9 £16723 14 0 I cannot conclude my report without paying tribute to Mr. G. N. Corbishley who has carried out his work conscientiously and with zeal. All the duties I have assigned to him have been done with thorough¬ ness and correctness and I have no hesitation in saying he is one of the best assistants that I have had under my control. I am, Your Obedient Servant, Council Offices, Bamber Bridge. NICHOLAS BARON, Chief Sanitary Inspector and Cleansing Superintendent. 29 Factories Act, 1937 and 1948. 1. — Inspections for purposes of provisions as to health (including inspections made by Sanitary Inspectors). M/c Line No. (2) Number on Register (3) Number of M/c L ne No. (7) Premises (1) Inspections (4) Written Notices (5) Occupiers prosecuted (6) (i) Factories in which Sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 are to be enforced byLocal Authorities . 1 21 8 1 (ii) Factories not included in (i) in which Section 7 is enforced by the Local Authority . 2 103 70 4 2 (iii) Other Premises in which Section 7 is enforced by the Local Authority (excluding out- workers’ premises) . . . 3 6 — - — — 3 f JL' otal ••• ••• ••• 130 78 4 ' 2. — Cases in which defects were found. M/c Line No. (2) Number of cases in which defects were found Number of M/c Line No. (8) Particulars (1) Found (3) Remedied (4) Refei To H.M. Inspector (5) ■red By H.M. Inspector (6) cases in which prosecutions were instituted (7) Want of cleanliness (S.l) . 4 1 1 None 1 None 4 Overcrowding (S.2) . 5 — — None None None 5 Unreasonable temperature (S.3) . 6 — — None None None 6 Inadequate ventilation (S.4) . 7 — — None None None 7 Ineffective drainage of floors (S.6) 8 — — None None None 8 Sanitary Conveniences (S.7) (a) insufficient . 9 5 4 None None None 9 (b) Unsuitable or defective . 10 4 3 None 6 None 10 (c) Not separate for sexes . 11 — — None None None 11 Other offences against the Act (not in¬ cluding offences relating to Outwork) 12 1 — None None None 12 T otal ... ... ... 60 11 8 None 7 None 60 30 ENGINEER AND SURVEYOR’S REPORT The following is a brief report covering the year 1st January, 1950 to 31st December, 1950 : — 1. Highways Owing to the financial policy of the Government and the Council, the only improvement work of any magnitude carried out was to Hennel Lane (Class III Road) and consisted of a first instalment of the scheme to improve Hennel Lane. Land was purchased by the County Council to enable the dangerous double bend at the Chorley Road end of Hennel Lane to be removed, but the only work authorised was the erection of the boundary wall and the laying of a footpath on the north side of Hennel Lane. A great deal more work will be necessary before this part of the road is satisfactory for the traffic which it carries. The minimum of maintenence work authorised was carried out at a cost of approximately £2,700 for Class I Roads, £1,000 for Class II, £1,000 for Class III and £6,000 for Unclassified roads. A small amount of signposting and street naming and guard rail erection was included. Preliminary Schemes for the improvement of all classified roads were prepared by the County Council in consultation with your Engineer and Surveyors. 2. Private Street Works During the year the Council’s policy of making up under the Private Street Works Act, 1892 the maximum number of streets permitted by the Government, was followed and good progress was made. The making up of Highfield Avenue (part), Moon Street (part), Prospect Avenue, Rosemead Avenue and Mayfield Avenue was completed by the Council and Ashworth Street was made up privately. All these streets were then adopted as Public Highways. The statutory preliminary work was carried out for Cedar Avenue, Laburnum Avenue and School Street and in addition a scheme was prepared to enable Messrs. Horsley Smith & Co., (W. & N.) Ltd. to make up Fourfields privately. 3. Public Footpaths The preliminary work in connection with the survey of public footpaths required by the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949 was begun. The preliminary work concerning the extinguishment of a public footpath leading from Brindle Road to Woodlands Avenue was done. 4. Surface Water Drainage A first instalment of the surface water drainage scheme for Hennel Lane was carried out. 5. Lighting of Classified Roads Provisional schemes and estimates for lighting to modern standards were prepared for classified roads, in order to provide preliminary information for the County Council’s Bill. The estimates were : — Class I roads £8,900 ; Class II roads £6,440 (both standard “ A ” lighting) ; Class III roads £6,085 (standard “ B ” lighting). Annual maintenance costs for these schemes were estimated at £5,360. The clause in the County Council’s Bill which was to enable grants to be made for this work has since been withdrawn. 31 It should be noted that with the exception of Trunk Road A. 6 the greater part of the Council’s street lighting is well below recognised standards. As Private Street Works and Housing Estate roadworks are carried out, the lighting in them is made to conform with Standard “ B ” lighting. 6. Sewerage and Sewage Disposal During the year work was carried out to enable some of the private septic tanks to be abandoned and the house drains connected to the sewerage system. A surface water sewer in Cuerdale Lane was converted to a foul sewer to enable all the septic tanks on property at the south side of Cuerdale Lane to be abandoned. Septic tanks serving four houses in Highfield Avenue and one house in Cuerdale Lane were con¬ nected to the sewers. Some small improvements were made at the Sewage disposal works. Agreement was reached with Chorley R.D.C. to enable adjacent areas to be drained to the Council’s sewers in Walton-le-Dale. 7. Trade Effluent Difficulties arose over the disposal of the effluent from the North Western Gas Board’s Works at Lostock Hall and a Trade Effluent Notice was served on the Council by the Board. After much investigation, the Council refused to accept the effluent and the problem was referred to the Minister of Health, but has not been decided at the time of writing. 8. Housing The construction of Withy Trees Estate roads and sewers was in progress during the year. The layout of houses, roads and sewers was prepared for Meanygate Housing Estate (approximately 150 houses) and arrangements made for the construction of the first 20 houses. Maintenance work continued on the Council’s housing estates and the first post-war estate was re-painted. A scheme to convert the buildings at the former Training College into housing accommodation was prepared, but the scheme was not proceeded with owing to the high cost and to difficulties of tenure. 9. Playing Fields A revised layout was prepared for Higher Walton King George V Memorial Playing Fields and approved by the Council. A revised layout was prepared for the proposed Gregson Lane Playing Fields and approved by the Council and the Ministry of Education. A provisional offer of grant was made by the Ministry and the first steps towards acquiring the site were taken by the Council. 10. Plans and Planning The Preliminary Plan for Lancashire was published and the preliminary Town Map for Walton- le-Dale was prepared. During the year applications relating to 115 permanent buildings and 48 temporary buildings were dealt with. 32 11. Building Licensing During the year, all work to buildings estimated to cost over £100 (with certain exceptions where the limit was £500) required to be licensed either by the Council, in the case of domestic buildings, or by the Ministry of Works. Nineteen licences to a total value of £4,995 10s. were issued by the Council, and 45 licences to a total value of £72,488 were issued by the Ministry of Works. In addition 9 licences to a total value of £14,390 were issued by the Council for the erection of houses for private occupation. 12. Transport The Engineer and Surveyor’s Department has two waggons which during the year ran a total of 18,544 miles (Karrier 8,008, Dodge 10,536) using 2,099 gallons of petrol (Karrier 785, Dodge 1,314) shewing an average petrol consumption of 10.3 miles per gallon on the Karrier and 8.06 miles per gallon on the Dodge. STANLEY RACE, A.M.I.C.E., M.I.Mun.E., A.M.I.W.E., Engineer and Surveyor. V ■ -i , . , /