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
Heston and Isleworth 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Heston and Isleworth]
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Doors and other woodwork repaired or renewed 132
Staircases replaced or repaired 10
Lighting to staircase provided or improved 8
Handrails or balusters repaired or renewed 6
Grates provided or repaired 82
Instances where ventilation under floor provided or improved 15
Larders provided or repaired 18
Domestic cleansing enforced 1
Improper keeping of animals abated 3
Offensive accumulations removed 27
Other repairs carried out or nuisances abated 257
Visits re infectious diseases, etc. 420
Complaints continue to be received of nuisance caused by pigeons. Apart from
those particularly affected, the public tends to be on the side of the pigeons, but
the damage and nuisance caused by them is considerable. The department does what
it can to assist and advise complainants, but it must be pointed out that the Council
has no power to catch or destroy pigeons on private property or to spend money for
such a purpose.
EXCHANGE OP ARTICLES FOR RAGS, etc. - Under the Public Health Act, 1936, it is
an offence for any person who collects or deals in rags, etc., to sell or deliver,
whether gratuitously or not, any article whatsoever to a child under the age of 14
years in exchange for rags etc. The Police notify the Council of any such contra
ventions coming to their notice.
SMOKE ABATEMENT - The emission of smoke, grit and ash from a factory chimney
may constitute a nuisance within the meaning of the Public Health Acts, During the
year the Public Health Inspectors made 118 smoke observations and paid many visits
to premises in regard to which complaints of smoke nuisance had been received.
Complaints about the quality of fuel are still too frequent, while defects in plant
and inadequate training of stokers receive too little attention.
The Council co-operates with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research
by measuring atmospheric pollution in the Borough, Two sets of apparatus are in
use; one on the roof of the Health Department in Bath Road, Hounslow, and the other
on the roof of Heath House London Road. Isleworth. The detailed monthly analyses
are forwarded for record and study to the Central Department, but the main features are recorded below:
| Health Department | Heath House | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainfall (inches) | Deposit (tons per sq.mile) | Sulphur (Mgms., SOg per day per 100 sq cm.) | Rainfall (inches) | Deposit (tons per sq. mile) | Sulphur (Mgms, So3 per day per 100 sq. cm.) | |
| January | 3.39 | 12.25 | 1.23 | 2.99 | 10.23 | 1.68 |
| February | 0.15 | 10.27 | 1.15 | 0.15 | 12.03 | 1.37 |
| March | 0.59 | 8.59 | 1.25 | 0. 67 | 11.08 | 1.23 |
| April | 1.18 | 12.52 | 0.88 | 1.10 | 13.92 | 0.79 |
| May | 0.12 | 5.27 | 0.28 | 0.12 | 4.56 | 0.48 |
| June | 1.93 | 7.29 | 0.24 | 2.09 | 8.89 | 0.26 |
| July | 4.45 | 8.18 | 0.33 | 4.30 | 8.72 | 0.27 |
| August | 3.90 | 8.62 | 0.32 | 3.94 | 9.26 | 0.28 |
| September | 2.99 | 7.53 | 0.57 | 2.60 | 9.16 | 0.66 |
| October | 1.50 | 7.42 | 0.86 | 0.99 | 7.66 | 1.11 |
| November | 0.36 | 5.51 | 0.86 | 0.32 | 5.57 | 0.92 |
| December | 2.44 | 13.21 | 1.66 | 2.33 | 11.62 | 1.81 |
| Average | 1.92 | 8.88 | 0.80 | 1.80 | 9.39 | 0.90 |
| Average 1952-1955 | 1.88 | 9.03 | 0.92 | 1.89 | 9.21 | 0.99 |
In general, atmospheric pollution in the Borough was less in 1956 than m the
previous four years.
TENTS, VANS AND CARAVANS There are five sites in the Borough which have been
used as caravan sites for many years, Some are occupied wholly or in part by per
sons, who use caravans for business in connection with a travelling circus, fair or
stall. During the year, the inspectors made 1,314 visits of inspection because of
the occupation of land by caravans.
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