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
Southall 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southall]
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MISCELLANEOUS
Noise Nuisance
Seven complaints were received of noise from factories. These were confirmed and
abated after informal action.
Rodent Control
The following table gives details of work carried out in accordance with the policy of the Council, as outlined in previous reports.
| Reports | Confirmed 202 | Non-Confirmed. 189 |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Industrial | 33 | |
| Domestic | 358 | |
| Rats | 106 | |
| Mice | 96 | |
| Total number of visits in 1955, | 1352. | |
| Sewers | 1st Treatment | |
| Total number of manholes baited | 35 | 70 |
| Number of poison takes | 14 | 32 |
Pet Animals Act, 1951
Ten establishments were licensed during the year. Compliance with the schedule
of conditions of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was secured,
and no formal action was necessary.
Administration of the Shops Acts
With a diminution of staff, it was found necessary to group shops in an order of priority
for attention. The inspections, therefore, represent direct work rather than routine
inspections and it is gratifying to record that improvements were secured in all instances.
River Pollution
Reports of samples taken from the River Brent at the three points of junction with the
Grand Union Canal within the Borough are received from the Middlesex County Council
from time to time.
Pollution from fermentable waste discharged from the premises of one of the national
undertakings was checked during the year and abatement measures put in hand.
Establishments for Massage and Special Treatment
Ten establishments were inspected for licence under this heading and all were found
satisfactory for the purpose which was intended. Details are as follows:—
Purpose No. of Licences
Chiropody only 4
Massage, Chiropody and Electrical Treatment 6
Medical Examination of Borough Council Employees
During 1955, a total of 79 medical examinations were carried out on applicants for
Borough Council employment or members of the Borough Council Staff. These examinations
were carried out with regard to suitability for employment on the Council's permanent
staff, for entry into the Sickness Pay Scheme, or for review after prolonged periods of sick
leave.
A survey of sickness absence amongst Borough Council staff during the year showed
that of 147 members of the indoor establishment, 52 had some sick leave during the year,
the total number of days of sickness being 922. Of the outside staff totalling 252, the number
of persons requiring sick leave was 198, and the total number of days of sick leave 5,047.
It is interesting to note that the proportion of sickness reckoned in days of absence
per employee in the case of the outside workers is roughly three times higher than that in
the internal staff and the reason for this must be sought.
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