Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]
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Pharmacy and Poisons Act, 1933
This Act is chiefly concerned with the distribution by sale or
otherwise of poisonous substances. The list of poisons is contained
in an Order made under the Act and is divided into two parts.
The Council are not concerned with the poisons contained in
Part I since an " authorised seller" is a pharmacist registered
with the Pharmaceutical Society, and enforcement is entrusted to
Inspectors appointed by that Society.
Substances specified in Part II may be sold by " listed sellers
and these are persons who, on written application in a prescribed
form, and on payment of stated fees, are recorded by the Council
as " persons entitled to sell poisons in Part II of the Poisons List"
at the premises recorded in the Register. The Council are required
to enforce the Act and Orders so far as they relate to " listed
sellers" and have appointed the Public Health Inspectors as
Inspectors under the Act. At the end of the year there were 158
persons registered under the Act.
Under the Poisons Rules (No. 2) Order, 1968, the following fees
to be paid by listed sellers of Part II poisons are authorised : —
(a) for entry of name in the Corporation's list, twenty-five
shillings;
(b) for retention of name in the Corporation's list, fifteen
shillings a year.
Consumer Protection Act, 1961
This Act repealed the Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Act,
1952, and the Oil Burners (Standards) Act, 1960, but Regulations
made under the former Act concerning fireguards on certain heating
appliances offered for sale are still in force. Regulations have
been made concerning oil burners, specifying standards of safety,
and prohibiting the sale of oil heaters or component parts which
do not comply with the Regulations.
Several reports were received from the Fire Authority during the
year concerning fires caused by oil heaters which did not comply
with the Regulations. However, in every case, upon investigation,
it was impossible to ascertain where these heaters had been purchased
; persons are often reluctant to give information which might
be incriminating. Secondhand shops where old-type oil stoves
might be sold are constantly being inspected and advice is given
to shopkeepers where appropriate.
Noise Abatement Act, 1960
During the past year, 68 complaints were received and investigated
by the public health inspectors concerning noise. The older
members of the public are becoming increasingly conscious of
noise, whilst youngsters appear to absorb it into their natural way
of life.