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Legal Proceedings
Proceedings were instituted in 166 cases under Section 94 of the Public Health
Act, 1936, for failure to comply with abatement notices resulting in the makinof 86
nuisance orders. Further proceedings were taken in 17 cases for failure to comply
with nuisance orders.
A fine of ten shillings was imposed by the Magistrates with £3 costs to the
Council in a case taken under Section 52 of the Public Health Act, 1936 (care of
sanitary conveniences used in common). The defendant appealed and the appeal was dismissed
but an application for costs was refused.
DISINFECTION AND DISINFESTATION
(a) General
Disinfection and disinfestation services were provided, mainly free of charge:-
No. of rooms treated for vermin (mainly bed bugs and fleas) 1,203
No. of rooms disinfected following infectious disease 199
No. of articles of clothing or bedding subjected to steam 1,427
disinfection.
Public health inspectors paid 20 visits to a factory to supervise the disinfection
of 40 tons of clothing etc., for export. In addition, 6 oven loads were subjected
to steam disinfection at the treatment centre for the same company. 589 bags of bedding
were disinfected for Whittington Hospital.
(b) Other Infestations
Complaints regarding the 'larder bettle' and 'golden spider beetle' showed a
slight increase during the year. The latter, once firmly established, proved difficult
to eradicate. Disinfestation was carried out for both of these, as well as for flies,
cockroaches and wasps. In co-operation with the Housing Manager, the Council's
Estates were treated as necessary for red mite.
(c) Co-operation with schools
The re-organisation of the London Boroughs made possible a closer collaboration
with the school medical staff in treating scabies. Co-operative efforts resulted in
the complete and simultaneous treatment of families and their homes, without doubt
the most effective way of dealing with this type of problem.
Similarly,outbreaks of dysentery in schools were tackled by the introduction of a
supervised hand-washing routine by children in affected classes using a proved bactericidal
solution accompanied by a thorough cleansing and precautionary disinfection of
school toilet facilities by the disinfection staff of the Department. The co-operation
of the teaching staff concerned was most gratifying.
(d) Pigeons
There was no diminution of this problem and the authorised pigeon catcher carried
out 18 treatments in the Borough. This brought relief in many of the worst affected
areas, but some areas became rapidly re-infested. Circular letters and notices were
used in an attempt to dissuade people from feeding the birds on the Council's and
other estates.
Caravan Sites - Control of Development Act, 1960
The caravan mentioned last year remained, the road problem not having been
resolved. The site was maintained in a satisfactory condition. A further caravan was
also sited within the Borough, without a licence. The conditions were unsatisfactory
and removal was required.
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