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and one in Ironmonger Row, both of which provide in addition to a large
indoor warmed swimming pool, slipper baths and facilities for the washing
of clothes. That in Ironmonger Row is particularly well equipped in
every way, and contains a Turkish Bath section. There is in addition
at this establishment, a special childrens pool of limited dimensions
and even depth. This pool is not greatly used except at fortnightly
intervals when a club consisting of members interested in helping
spastics and cured cases of poliomyelitis, helps them to recover some
degree of movement and to enjoy the freedom possible for them when in
water. The pool is specially heated on these occasions, and a very
valuable service is rendered in this way. The water is circulated,
filtered and chlorinated.
Apart from careful day to day control of chlorination by the Baths
Superintendent,the occasional examination of the water has been carried
out by the Laboratory Technician. The results have uniformly shown a
satisfactory degree of alkalinity and of free chlorine and the sample
to be sterile.
(ii) There is an indoor swimming pool open to the public during the
summer months at Northampton College. The water here is circulated,
filtered and chlorinated but the plant in use is somewhat out of date,
and detailed control has from time to time been somewhat difficult.
Regular chemicel control is maintained by the College authorities.
Chemical and bacteriological examinations have also been made from time
to time by the Laboratory Technician none of which have given rise to
concern, though the alkalinity and amount of free chlorine have
occasionally been found to be low and complete sterility not maintained.
PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTORATE:
I am happy to report that the Department remains fully staffed in
this Section, with an establishment of 10 Public Health Inspectors.
In accordance with previous practice the Council has continued to
engage student Public Health Inspectors,one of whom sat and was successful
in passing the examination in 1962.
SANITARY CONDITIONS:
I am glad to be able to report that there has been a steady
improvement during the past year of the prevailing environmental
conditions in the homes of the residents. This has been consequent for
a large part on the disappearance of many of the unfit properties. It
is reflected in a diminishing number of complaints made to the department
from 832 in 1961 to 735 in 1963. It has been possible to investigate
all complaints without delay. Generally speaking, the policy adopted
has been to press for the abatement of nuisances by informal action
rather than to take legal proceedings. In this way it has been possible
to preserve better relations with landlords and thus to secure further
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