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49
[1926
that every morning several dead birds were to be seen about the depot and on
the heaps of refuse, these birds having eaten the fly larvae which had been
saturated with the disinfectant. Another interesting point is that from the 1st
May to the 1st July in the immediate neighbourhood there was only one case of
notifiable infectious disease, a case of Scarlet Fever, and the infection was not
attributable to the dump.
The work mentioned is interesting, as it shows what can be done to keep
down risks provided the period is not too long, and the accumulations have not
in their amount exceeded what can be effectively dealt with by means of extensive
spraying.
DUST NUISANCE (Grinding of Bricks and Rubble, Etc.).
In September considerable consternation was caused in the Tollington
Ward by the starting of a business of grinding bricks, rubble, etc., without
adequate protection to prevent the dust spreading broadcast. Not only were
householders in the neighbourhood seriously annoyed and inconvenienced by
the nuisance, but business premises were also invaded by the dust. The
residents presented a petition, and the matter was taken up by the Public Health
Committee. One difficulty which arises is that the dust which annoyed the
householders, etc., came from, but was not on, the premises, and there appeared
to be some difficulty as regards the technical wording of the general nuisance
section of the Public Health Act. If the Public Health (London) Act, instead
of saying " effluvia " in one of its sections said " dust and effluvia " it would
cover this matter and also protect the trade interest in a way, as the section (21)
in which effluvia is mentioned' sets forth a very definite procedure, and allows
" the best practicable means for abating the nuisance." It is thus not too
drastic in the restriction of trade or manufacture. There was also the
suggestion that the London County Council might take up the matter in their
next General Powers Bill. Meanwhile the Medical Officer of Health proceeded
as far as he could regarding the premises from which the nuisance was emanating
by means of insisting on necessary sanitary accommodation and care for the
workpeople employed. When these were remedied the adjacent area would
naturally at the same time benefit.

Dust Receptacles Provided.—During the year 1,388 dust receptacles
were provided, while 38 were repaired after the service of sanitary notices,