London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Greenwich 1961

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]

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75
personnel, as soon as possible after dust collection and 3.878 treatments
were so carried out.
Static water sites, ditches, etc., were sprayed with either D.D.T.
in Kerosene or Malariol, and in certain instances dusted with
' Gammexane' powder.
Vacant and bombed sites are regularly inspected for offensive
deposits in the nature of dead animals and food waste. It is found
that these items are generally placed away from the public view
and can become a potent source of fly breeding if not detected.
Other deposits include mattresses, discarded clothing and sundry
items of furniture, etc, surreptitiously dumped on vacant spaces
because the public, in the main, are unaware that this authority will,
upon request, collect and destroy such articles.
Deposits which by reason of organic substance allow fly
breeding are sprayed and removed for destruction centrally and the
immediate area sprayed and subjected to follow up inspection.
Other items are either treated and disposed of centrally, or burned
on the spot.
There is no doubt that since the introduction of the anti-fly
scheme, control of fly and mosquito breeding has been effectively
maintained and succeeding years have shown a progressive reduction
in the number of complaints notified to this department.
Public Baths and Washhouses.—Greenwich is in the happy
position of having a modern establishment for its Public Baths and
Washhouses, situated in Trafalgar Road, and covering an area of
11 acres. Originally there were 3 large swimming baths, 74 ladies
and gents' slipper baths, medicated vapour and foam baths,
washhouses and laundry, etc., but during the war the Ladies' 2nd
Class Swimming Bath was demolished by enemy action. Subsequently
the Council, with Ministry approval, decided that Turkish
and Vapour Baths would replace the original Ladies' swimming
bath and rebuilding with this aim in view commenced during 1957.
March 10th of 1959 saw the opening to the public of the new
baths, the accommodation of which consists of the following :—
(a) Cooling Room with 23 cubicles for resting, with Attendant's
Office and additional locker accommodation for
bathers not requiring a cubicle.
(b) Shower Room, with plunge pool and adjacent lavatory
accommodation, giving access to Turkish Bath, Vapour
Bath. Shampooing Room and Special Baths.