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

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City of Westminster 1923

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]

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48
surface used for warming the air is of a higher temperature than 250° F.
The condition of the air is not to be regarded as satisfactory if the amount
of carbon dioxide in occupied portions of the premises, taken at a level
of 3 ft. 6 in. above the floor, exceeds 10 parts in 10,000. Independent
means of extraction from lavatories and sanitary conveniences must be
provided, so arranged that the air movement does not carry from these
places into the public parts.
Bat Repression.—-The campaign against rats was continued throughout
the year; 31 specific complaints were investigated and steps taken to
destroy the vermin and to remove the source from which they came.
In the majority of instances the invasion of houses was due to defects
in the drains or sewers; 23 examinations of sewer connections were
made and 33 disused connections were bricked off and other defects in
sewers were found and remedied, in others the rats were brought from
the docks in packages of fruit and vegetables.
In the week commencing 1st November a united attack was again
made throughout the country. During the week 16,995 baits were laid
in 247 of the Council's sewers and at the four wharves used as dust
shoots. All of the baits were taken freely, but the actual number of
dead rats seen in the sewers was only 43. Probably the dead bodies
were carried away by the flow of water.

Smoke Prevention.

The following is a summary of the work done in connection with smoke prevention:—

1921.1922.1923.
Complaints received303112
Observations taken1,8381,795600
Notices issued—Preliminary1808
Statutory5222
Summons1

The records of the Advisory Committee on Atmospheric Pollution
show that there has undoubtedly been considerable improvement in
the purity of the air of London traceable to the increased use of smokeless
heating and cooking devices, and to improved appliances and methods
of combustion in the case of industrial furnaces. Thus in the years 18811885,
during the winter months, Westminster had only 17 per cent. of the
sunshine enjoyed by Oxford, Cambridge, Marlborough and Geldeston.
This percentage has gradually improved year by year: in 1901-5 it had