London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Kensington 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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17
Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Act, 1952
This Act makes it an offence to sell any gas or electric fire, or
oil heater, suitable for use in residential premises, unless it is fitted
with an adequate guard.
Generally speaking, traders do not commit offences under this Act,
but it has been found necessary to keep a careful watch on the sale of
second-hand appliances from stalls in public markets. On a number of
occasions during the year offences by street traders were reported to the
Public Health Committee and warnings in every case were issued.
Mass Radiography
Mass radiography is undertaken on behalf of the Minister of Health
by the Regional Hospital Boards. Kensington is included in the area covered
by the Mass X-ray Unit No. 5A operated by the North-West Metropolitan Regional
Hospital Board.
The purpose of mass radiography is twofold:-
(i) to find abnormalities of the chest, and in
particular tuberculosis and cancer of the lungs,
and
(ii) to give those whose X-ray is within "normal
limit" a certain degree of security.
Details of persons X-rayed by the Unit during surveys held in Kensington in 1959, are as follows:-
| I. Organised Groups | No. X-rayed |
|---|---|
| Wates Building Site 0 | 114 |
| Geological Museum, etc. | 911 |
| Warwick Road Council Depot | 402 |
| G.P.O. Charles House | 1,470 |
| Barkers | 792 |
| C & A High Street, etc. | 387 |
| Harrods, Knightsbridge | 2,345 |
| College of Estate Management, etc | 316 |
| Baileys Hotel, etc. | |
| B.E.A. West London Air Terminal, etc. | 484 |
| Rootes, Brlby Road | 338 |
| Merchant Adventurers, Portland Road, etc. | 105 |
| 7,920 |
II. General Public
Barkers 915
GRAND TOTAL: 8,835
A provisional analysis of the surveys revealed fifteen cases of
active tuberculosis and five cases where it is necessary to keep the
patients under observation. No case of lung cancer was discovered.
Atmospheric Pollution
Clean Air Act, 1956. Certain provisions of the Clean Air Act,
1956, which received Royal Assent on 5th July, 1956, came into force on
31st December, 1956, and the remaining provisions came into operation on
1st June, 1958.
Smoke Control Areas. Sections 11 to 15 of the Act relate to