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Practical Food Inspection. Vol. I.—Meat Inspection
154
PUBLIC HEALTH, May, 1948 BOOK
REVIEWS
Health Services i n England. By R. C, WOFINDEN, M.D., B.S., I).p.H., D.P.A. (Pp. 191. Price 10s.) Bristol: John Wright & Sons Ltd. ; London: Simpkin Marshall Ltd. 1947. This book is the appearance in print of the essay submitted by Dr. Wofinden which won the Joseph Rogers prize-awarded by the Society of Apothecaries for 1946. He has added a postscript on the National Health Service Act, 1946. Whilst this book constitutes an excellent and useful survey o f its subject, we particularly like the author's chapters on "Achievements o f the Health Services," including a discussion on problem families with a direct account of the author's experience in Rotherham, and on " The Future," in which he describes the criticisms of existing services and clears the ground for developments under the new scheme of things. He does not fall blindly for co-ordlnation as a panacea but considers that the lack of it, implying absence of complete central control, may well be one of the strong points in our health services; many of our readers will agree with this view. Dr. Wofinden is one of the thinkers in our service and into the brief compass of this book he manages to put much food for thought. The Sanitary Inspeetor's Handbook. Sixth Edition. By HENRY H. CLAY, F.R.SAN.I., v:r.S.~. (Pp. xxii + 546, Illustrations 99. Price 22s.) London: H. K. Lewis & Co., Ltd. 1948. This book, first published in 1933, has now reached a sixth edition__a very obvious index of its great popularity. Major Clay has undertaken a most thorough revision of the original Handbook. The technical portions have been revised and amended and a considerable amount of new matter added, including sections on water analyses and interpretation of reports; camp sanitation; food control--compositio~ description a n d protection; the" IceCream (Heat Treatment, etc.) Regulations, 1947; and "the Infestation Order, 1943, with approved methods of rodent destruction. An account of the new insecticides D.D.T. and Gammexane is included in the chapter on Disinfestation. The law relating to each subject has been brought up-to-date but provisions of a purely emergency character have, quite rightly, been curtailed. Procedure under the Nuisances Sections of the Public Health Acts, 1936 and the Repairs Section of the Housing Act, 1936 is fully and clearly described. Ruthless pruning by an expert has produced an enlarged, well illustrated volume, which may truly be said to be the " v a d e mecum " of the Sanitary Officer as well as an excellent text-book for the student. Practical Food Inspection. Vol. I . ~ M e a t Inspection. Third Edition. By C. R. A. MARTIN, M.R.SAN.I. (Pp. viii + 316, Illustrations 138. Price 18s.) London: H. K. Lewis & Co., Ltd. 1947. This excellent treatise on meat inspection will continue to find favour not only with Sanitary and Food ,Inspectors of Local Authorities and students, but also, on account of its practical value, with those engaged in the Meat Trades. Now that meat inspection is partially centralised and under the control of the Ministry of Food, one is apt to lose sight of the fact that Medical Officers of Health and Sanitary Officers of Local Authorities still maintain a fundamental responsibility to the public for the wholesomeness and freedom from diseases of the meat consumed in their areas. The book is well indexed and clearly illustrated with original drawings by the author, but one regrets that the only eolour charts are those showing the rashes of swine fever and acute swine erysipelas. The chapters on the preservation of meat, parasites and diseases, physiology and comparative anatomy, have been enlarged and extended, resulting in an up-to-date, extremely practical and not ultra-scientific work, which can be thoroughly recommended. The L a w of Smoke Nuisances. Second Edition. By W. R. Hornby Steer, M.A., LL.B., F.R.SAN.I. (Pp. 72. Price 3s. net) London: National Smoke Abatement Society, Chandos House, Buckingham Gate, S.W.I. 1948. After wartime suspension the law relating to smoke nuisances "is again in force and is of concern to local authorities, to the users of f u e l and to individuals affected by atmospheric pollution in one of its many forms. This handbook by W. R. Hornby Steer, Recorder of South Molton and Standing Counsel to the National Smoke Abatement Society, is the only explanatory guide to the Iaw in. England and. Wales. . . The. second edition l'USt. [?ublished includes important revlsmns" and the'Inclusion of additional material on the new forms of legislation for smoke prevention by more positive m e a n s - - t h e "prior approval" of fuel-burning installations and the setting up of smokeless zones. The two Acts so reviewed are the City of London (Various Powers) Act, 1946, and the Manchester Corporation Act, 1946.
The general legislation is concisely but clearly explained, and there are chapters on history, common law, shipping, railways, joint action, and so on. Tables of Statutes and Cases are included, and not least among the points that make the book so handy for reference are appendices of extracts from the Public Health Act, 1936, the Local Government Act, 1933, and the recent Acts mentioned above. In addition to the paper-backed edition now published, a clothbound edition at 5s. will be available shortly. Principles of Medical Statistics. Fourth Edition. By A. BRADFORD HILL, D.SC., ProD. (Pp. 2 5 2 . Price 10s. 6d. net.) London: T h e L a n c e t Ltd. 1948. Prof. Hill's preface says that his book has beeyl used increasingly by workers in the preventive field as well as by clinical workers for whom it was originally intended, so his enlargements deal with aspects of statistics which will be particularly useful to the M.O.H. who may soon have his staff increased by the appointment of a statistician whose special language he may wish to uuderstand better. This book has always been especially useful in showing common fallacies or conclusions which 'should n o t be drawn from certain types of statistics. If the M.O.H. is to return under the National Health Service to a fuller understanding and interpretation of all matters affecting the health of h i s p.opulation, we strongly advise a " refl'esher course" in the meanings, metbods and limitations of medical statistics so clearly given, without undue mathematical demands, by Prof. Hill in this standard book. Textbook of Public Health. Twelth edition. By W. M. FRAZER, O.B.E., M.D., D.P.~I. and C. O. STALLYBRASS,M.D., D.P.H. (Pp. xii × 571. Price 30s. net, postage 9d.) Edinburgh: E. & S. Livingstone. 1948. The authors of this well-known book have taken the opportunity affordecL by the rapid exhaustion of the eleventh edition of 1946 to bring out this edition which has the advantage of incorporating all the new administrative harvest of the intensive legislation of the past two years--National Health Service, family allowances, national insurance and town and country planning. Thanks are again expressed to Drs. R. Gamlin, B. J. T: Glover a n d Ruby Belt for the chapters on school health, f o o d inspection and maternity and child welfare respectively. The F o o d and Drink Infections. Report of Conference held by the Central Council for Health Education, October 9th, 1947. (Pp. 62. Price 4s.) London: C.C.H.E. 1948. This full report of the Food and Drink conference organised by the C.C.H.E. will be welcomed by the many M.O.H.s. and others who attended and heard the lucid exposition of the problem and suggested solutions by the authoritative panel of speakers, which included Lord Woolton, Sir William Savage, Prof. G. S. Wilson, Drs. L. H. Lampitt, Robert Cruickshank and Robert Sutherland. Those who were not there should make a point of securing a copy as it constitutes a standard exposition of the subject in a small compass. Tubereulosis in the Commonwealth. Complete transactions of the Commonwealth and Empire Health, and Tuberculosis Conference. (Pp. 328. Price 15s.) London: National Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis. 1948. This full report is worth reading alone for the discussions of the National Health Service Act and on B.C.G. and streptomycin, in the latter of which many distinguished American workers took part. The Imperial aspects were also well discussed.
N e w Films on Children's Health and Safety The latest additions to the excellent "Your Children's H e a l t h " series of films made by the Central Office of Information for the Ministry of Health are " Y o u r Children's Sleep " and " Y o u r Children's Meals." The former is to be shown in public cinemas as well as to Special audiences only. Both are excellent especially i n bringing out the psychological aspect of proper handling by parents and in illustrating common parental errors. An amusing colour cartoon called " Y o u r Very Good Health" illustrates in the person of a character named " C h a r l e y " the services to be available under the N.H.S. Act; its fault i s perhaps to be over-optimistic about what will actually be available to "Charley " or any other insured person immediately after the .appointed day. Lastly a graphic and rather terrifying film on the ever present risks of scalds or burns to young children, entitled " P l a y i n g with Fire," has been issued for shdwing to special audiences. Probably the lesson will be best driven home by shocking parents into being ultra-cautious a b o u t ever leaving children near unguarded fires or reachable hot liquids. Dr. P. V. Pritchard (C.M.O.H. Co. Antrim) has been appointed to the Northern Ireland General Health Services Board.
PUBLIC HEALTH, May, 1948 BOOK
REVIEWS
Health Services i n England. By R. C, WOFINDEN, M.D., B.S., I).p.H., D.P.A. (Pp. 191. Price 10s.) Bristol: John Wright & Sons Ltd. ; London: Simpkin Marshall Ltd. 1947. This book is the appearance in print of the essay submitted by Dr. Wofinden which won the Joseph Rogers prize-awarded by the Society of Apothecaries for 1946. He has added a postscript on the National Health Service Act, 1946. Whilst this book constitutes an excellent and useful survey o f its subject, we particularly like the author's chapters on "Achievements o f the Health Services," including a discussion on problem families with a direct account of the author's experience in Rotherham, and on " The Future," in which he describes the criticisms of existing services and clears the ground for developments under the new scheme of things. He does not fall blindly for co-ordlnation as a panacea but considers that the lack of it, implying absence of complete central control, may well be one of the strong points in our health services; many of our readers will agree with this view. Dr. Wofinden is one of the thinkers in our service and into the brief compass of this book he manages to put much food for thought. The Sanitary Inspeetor's Handbook. Sixth Edition. By HENRY H. CLAY, F.R.SAN.I., v:r.S.~. (Pp. xxii + 546, Illustrations 99. Price 22s.) London: H. K. Lewis & Co., Ltd. 1948. This book, first published in 1933, has now reached a sixth edition__a very obvious index of its great popularity. Major Clay has undertaken a most thorough revision of the original Handbook. The technical portions have been revised and amended and a considerable amount of new matter added, including sections on water analyses and interpretation of reports; camp sanitation; food control--compositio~ description a n d protection; the" IceCream (Heat Treatment, etc.) Regulations, 1947; and "the Infestation Order, 1943, with approved methods of rodent destruction. An account of the new insecticides D.D.T. and Gammexane is included in the chapter on Disinfestation. The law relating to each subject has been brought up-to-date but provisions of a purely emergency character have, quite rightly, been curtailed. Procedure under the Nuisances Sections of the Public Health Acts, 1936 and the Repairs Section of the Housing Act, 1936 is fully and clearly described. Ruthless pruning by an expert has produced an enlarged, well illustrated volume, which may truly be said to be the " v a d e mecum " of the Sanitary Officer as well as an excellent text-book for the student. Practical Food Inspection. Vol. I . ~ M e a t Inspection. Third Edition. By C. R. A. MARTIN, M.R.SAN.I. (Pp. viii + 316, Illustrations 138. Price 18s.) London: H. K. Lewis & Co., Ltd. 1947. This excellent treatise on meat inspection will continue to find favour not only with Sanitary and Food ,Inspectors of Local Authorities and students, but also, on account of its practical value, with those engaged in the Meat Trades. Now that meat inspection is partially centralised and under the control of the Ministry of Food, one is apt to lose sight of the fact that Medical Officers of Health and Sanitary Officers of Local Authorities still maintain a fundamental responsibility to the public for the wholesomeness and freedom from diseases of the meat consumed in their areas. The book is well indexed and clearly illustrated with original drawings by the author, but one regrets that the only eolour charts are those showing the rashes of swine fever and acute swine erysipelas. The chapters on the preservation of meat, parasites and diseases, physiology and comparative anatomy, have been enlarged and extended, resulting in an up-to-date, extremely practical and not ultra-scientific work, which can be thoroughly recommended. The L a w of Smoke Nuisances. Second Edition. By W. R. Hornby Steer, M.A., LL.B., F.R.SAN.I. (Pp. 72. Price 3s. net) London: National Smoke Abatement Society, Chandos House, Buckingham Gate, S.W.I. 1948. After wartime suspension the law relating to smoke nuisances "is again in force and is of concern to local authorities, to the users of f u e l and to individuals affected by atmospheric pollution in one of its many forms. This handbook by W. R. Hornby Steer, Recorder of South Molton and Standing Counsel to the National Smoke Abatement Society, is the only explanatory guide to the Iaw in. England and. Wales. . . The. second edition l'USt. [?ublished includes important revlsmns" and the'Inclusion of additional material on the new forms of legislation for smoke prevention by more positive m e a n s - - t h e "prior approval" of fuel-burning installations and the setting up of smokeless zones. The two Acts so reviewed are the City of London (Various Powers) Act, 1946, and the Manchester Corporation Act, 1946.
The general legislation is concisely but clearly explained, and there are chapters on history, common law, shipping, railways, joint action, and so on. Tables of Statutes and Cases are included, and not least among the points that make the book so handy for reference are appendices of extracts from the Public Health Act, 1936, the Local Government Act, 1933, and the recent Acts mentioned above. In addition to the paper-backed edition now published, a clothbound edition at 5s. will be available shortly. Principles of Medical Statistics. Fourth Edition. By A. BRADFORD HILL, D.SC., ProD. (Pp. 2 5 2 . Price 10s. 6d. net.) London: T h e L a n c e t Ltd. 1948. Prof. Hill's preface says that his book has beeyl used increasingly by workers in the preventive field as well as by clinical workers for whom it was originally intended, so his enlargements deal with aspects of statistics which will be particularly useful to the M.O.H. who may soon have his staff increased by the appointment of a statistician whose special language he may wish to uuderstand better. This book has always been especially useful in showing common fallacies or conclusions which 'should n o t be drawn from certain types of statistics. If the M.O.H. is to return under the National Health Service to a fuller understanding and interpretation of all matters affecting the health of h i s p.opulation, we strongly advise a " refl'esher course" in the meanings, metbods and limitations of medical statistics so clearly given, without undue mathematical demands, by Prof. Hill in this standard book. Textbook of Public Health. Twelth edition. By W. M. FRAZER, O.B.E., M.D., D.P.~I. and C. O. STALLYBRASS,M.D., D.P.H. (Pp. xii × 571. Price 30s. net, postage 9d.) Edinburgh: E. & S. Livingstone. 1948. The authors of this well-known book have taken the opportunity affordecL by the rapid exhaustion of the eleventh edition of 1946 to bring out this edition which has the advantage of incorporating all the new administrative harvest of the intensive legislation of the past two years--National Health Service, family allowances, national insurance and town and country planning. Thanks are again expressed to Drs. R. Gamlin, B. J. T: Glover a n d Ruby Belt for the chapters on school health, f o o d inspection and maternity and child welfare respectively. The F o o d and Drink Infections. Report of Conference held by the Central Council for Health Education, October 9th, 1947. (Pp. 62. Price 4s.) London: C.C.H.E. 1948. This full report of the Food and Drink conference organised by the C.C.H.E. will be welcomed by the many M.O.H.s. and others who attended and heard the lucid exposition of the problem and suggested solutions by the authoritative panel of speakers, which included Lord Woolton, Sir William Savage, Prof. G. S. Wilson, Drs. L. H. Lampitt, Robert Cruickshank and Robert Sutherland. Those who were not there should make a point of securing a copy as it constitutes a standard exposition of the subject in a small compass. Tubereulosis in the Commonwealth. Complete transactions of the Commonwealth and Empire Health, and Tuberculosis Conference. (Pp. 328. Price 15s.) London: National Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis. 1948. This full report is worth reading alone for the discussions of the National Health Service Act and on B.C.G. and streptomycin, in the latter of which many distinguished American workers took part. The Imperial aspects were also well discussed.
N e w Films on Children's Health and Safety The latest additions to the excellent "Your Children's H e a l t h " series of films made by the Central Office of Information for the Ministry of Health are " Y o u r Children's Sleep " and " Y o u r Children's Meals." The former is to be shown in public cinemas as well as to Special audiences only. Both are excellent especially i n bringing out the psychological aspect of proper handling by parents and in illustrating common parental errors. An amusing colour cartoon called " Y o u r Very Good Health" illustrates in the person of a character named " C h a r l e y " the services to be available under the N.H.S. Act; its fault i s perhaps to be over-optimistic about what will actually be available to "Charley " or any other insured person immediately after the .appointed day. Lastly a graphic and rather terrifying film on the ever present risks of scalds or burns to young children, entitled " P l a y i n g with Fire," has been issued for shdwing to special audiences. Probably the lesson will be best driven home by shocking parents into being ultra-cautious a b o u t ever leaving children near unguarded fires or reachable hot liquids. Dr. P. V. Pritchard (C.M.O.H. Co. Antrim) has been appointed to the Northern Ireland General Health Services Board.