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49
Goods have also been disinfected on behalf of certain export
firms and until 1954 the quantities were very considerable involving
more than a million articles in some years The quantities have now
fallen and in 1955 86,630 articles were dealt with in this way.
During 1955 some disinfection, including that of some goods for
export, was also undertaken on behalf of the Islington Borough Council
whilst their station was under reconstruction
Nuisance from Pigeons
In order to control the number of pigeons in the Borough licences
have been granted for catching them in the streets and open spaces, as
they are liable to become a public nuisance and to do much damage.
Enquiries are made as to the means employed by those authorized, to
ensure that they are humane and as to disposal of the carcasses to
ensure that birds unfit for human consumption are not sold for this
purpose.
The pigeon population has remained fairly stable in recent years
as far as can be gauged.
During 1955 three licences were in force, one of which was cancelled
during the year as the licensee failed to supply the information
referred to above.
Mortuary
The mortuary attached to the Health Centre has remained available
for the reception of bodies This mortuary is primarily
intended for the early removal from overcrowded rooms of the bodies
of those dying in them and for the isolation of the bodies of those
dying from infectious disease It is of great value to have this
provision for use in an emergency, but other facilities have been made
available by undertakers for some years and there have been no deaths
at home from serious infectious disease for a long time: in consequence
only occasional use has been made of these facilities since
the war.
One body was accommodated during the year.