London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Lewisham 1966
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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ANTI-FLY CAMPAIGN
During the period June to September the usual measures were taken to deal with
the control of fly breeding. Calls were made to potential sources, such as stables,
piggeries and similar premises throughout the Borough. Vacant sites which were
well known to the department as rubbish dumps were visited and deposits of litter
removed and the ground sprayed with insecticide when considered necessary. The
treatment of dustbins with powder supplied by the health department was carried
out by the Borough Engineer & Surveyor. The caretakers of blocks of flats were
supplied with the necessary material to enable them to deal with refuse chutes and
chambers.
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT, 1949
The following table shows the work of rat and mice destruction carried out by the
pest operatives during 1966. No special comment is called for except to say that
this is a continuing problem which allows for no let up in combating these pests.
Table 47
| Type of Properly | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local authority | Dwelling houses (including council houses) | All other (including business premises) | Total | Agricultural | |
| Properties inspected as a result of (a") notification | 15 | 2,743 | 237 | 2,995 | — |
| (b) survey | — | 130 | 17 | 147 | — |
| (c) otherwise | — | — | — | — | — |
| Total inspections | 15 | 2,873 | 254 | 3,142 | — |
| Properties inspected which were found to be infested by:— | |||||
| (a) Rats—major | — | — | — | — | — |
| (b) —minor | 10 | 930 | 100 | 1,040 | — |
| (c) Mice—major | — | — | — | — | — |
| (d) —minor | 4 | 589 | 71 | 664 | — |
| Infested properties treated | 14 | 1,519 | 171 | 1,704 | — |
| Retreatments | 37 | 2,746 | 556 | 3,339 | — |
| "Block" control schemes carried out | Nil | ||||
SWIMMING BATHS
There are 5 public swimming baths in the Borough. The following table shows details of the laboratory tests taken during the year.
| Table 48 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bath | Number of tests | Variation of chlorine (p.p.m.) | |
| Lady well | ... | 8 | 0.05—1.60 |
| Forest Hill North | ... | 9 | 0.10—0.90 |
| Forest Hill South | ... | 9 | 0.05—0.74 |
| Laurie Grove Large | ... | 5 | 0.05—1.28 |
| Laurie Grove Small | ... | 9 | 0.02—1 .28 |
| Laurie Grove South | ... | 8 | 0.04—1.40 |
| Downham | ... | 8 | 0.05—1.60 |
| Bellingham (open air) | ... | 2 | 0.00—0.12 |
The water used for these baths is supplied by the Metropolitan Water Board and is
sterilised by the breakpoint chlorination method, sodium carbonate and sodium
metephosphate being used to control acidity and to keep the pH above 7.2. Colorimetric
tests for free chlorine and pH value are also made at the baths at 9 a.m.,
1 p.m., and 6 p.m. on weekdays and at 9 a.m. and 12 noon on Sundays, the results
being recorded on log sheets kept for the purpose. The aim is to achieve a circulation
of water every four hours, although it is rather more prolonged at the open-air
baths.
66