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Shops Act, 1934.
The duties of the Borough Council under the provisions of
this Act are to secure and maintain sanitary and hygienic
conditions in shops. Two exemption certificates were granted
under the provisions of Section 10 of the Act.
Pharmacy and Poisons Act, 1933.
At the end of the year the names of 176 traders were
registered for the sale of poisons included in Part II of the above
Act. Observation was kept of stalls and shops for unauthorised
sellers but no infringement of the Act was reported.
Smoke Abatement.
The abatement of the evils of atmospheric pollution is a
vital necessity not only from a public health consideration but
also for the purpose of saving fuel. It is not always realised that
domestic chimneys as well as factory chimneys are responsible
for the production of much soot owing to the main fuel supply
continuing to be raw bituminous coal.
During the year 40 smoke observations were made on
factory chimneys in the Borough. In two instances an intimation
notice was served. When offences occur the Sanitary
Inspector makes a personal call at the factory with a view to
offering advice and practical suggestions for the prevention of a
recurrence of the nuisance. Such advice is invariably welcomed
and acted upon by the management.
Fouling of Footpaths by Dogs.
No contravention was reported of the byelaw relating to the
fouling of footways by dogs on leads.
Destruction of Bed Bugs.
The work of disinfestation is carried out by the Council's
Disinfecting Staff. The following table shows the number of
premises treated during 1948.
Borough Council Houses (requisitioned) 25
London County Council dwellings 15
Other dwelling houses 645
Method of Treatment.—The Disinfecting Staff calls at the
premises and sprays the infested room or rooms with an insecticide
to which 5 per cent. D.D.T. has been added. The use
of D.D.T. has rendered obsolete the old method of stripping
walls and ceilings and lifting skirting boards, etc., before
spraying. Infested bedding and other articles are removed for
steam disinfestation at the Council's Disinfecting Station.
Tenants are also requested to co-operate in these measures by
undertaking "spring-cleaning" of the house.
Tins of insecticide and sprayers are available at cost price
to any resident in the Borough on application to the Public
Health Department.