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

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Lewisham 1970

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

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SWIMMING BATHS

There are five public swimming baths in the Borough. The following table shows details of the laboratory tests taken during the year:—

Table 51

BathNumber of testsVariation of chlorine (p.p.m.)
Ladywell31.0— 1.4
Forest Hill North20.3— 0.5
Forest Hill South30.4— 0.6
Laurie Grove Large20.6— 1.0
Laurie Grove Small30.4— 1.0
Laurie Grove South30.5— 1.0
Downham30.5— 1.2
Bellingham (open air)201— 0.2

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.
RAG FLOCK AND OTHER FILLING MATERIALS ACT, 1951
The Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials Act is designed to secure the use of clean
filling materials in upholstered articles and other articles which are stuffed or lined.
Four premises are registered for the use of filling materials for upholstery purposes.
Samples of these materials proved satisfactory on examination.
DESTRUCTION OF PIGEONS AND FOXES
The complaints received during 1970 showed, as in previous years, that the two worst
affected sites were in Forest Hill and Catford. These were treated by contractors and
240 birds were destroyed at the Forest Hill site and 348 at the Catford site. The pigeon
catchers, who are employed on a part-time basis, investigated the remainder of the
complaints and paid regular visits to badly affected sites, such as railway bridges and
churches. Some 2,534 birds as well as many eggs and nests were destroyed. The feeding
of pigeons by the general public is still a great problem and if this diminished there
is no doubt that the number of birds would be reduced.
The pigeon catchers also investigate complaints of foxes which are now more
frequently seen in Lewisham and during 1970, 35 foxes were destroyed.
PET ANIMALS ACT, 1951
During the year 19 premises were licensed as pet shops. In the main, the sale of pets
at these premises consists of cage birds and tropical and coldwater fish. In general
it has been found that pets are kept for sale under conditions which do not call for
any particular comment and in no case has it been found necessary to attach special
conditions for any licence which has been issued.
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