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PIGEON NUISANCE
The firm of pigeon catchers employed under contract by the City Corporation have continued
to give satisfaction. The Corporation's policy is not entirely to exterminate all pigeons but to
control their numbers to such proportions as will ensure that the pleasure they give to residents
and visitors is not outweighed by the nuisance they cause.
The fact that only three complaints were received of nuisance caused by these birds would
appear to justify the Contractor's statement that although there has been a general increase in
the pigeon population in the London area he has maintained a satisfactory level within the City.
During the year 1,200 pigeons were humanely trapped and killed.
EXCAVATION OF HUMAN REMAINS
Human remains which are unearthed in the course of excavation are with the sanction of the
Home Office, the Ecclesiastical Authorities, the City Coroner and the City Police reverently reinterred
in an approved burial ground or cremated at an established crematorium.
Work in connection with the removal of humanremains from St. Botolph's Churchyard, Bishopsgate,
to the City of London Cemetery, Manor Park for reinterment commenced in August, 1958
and was finally completed in January, 1959. The remains appeared to have been removed from
the surrounding land some years ago and re-interred in St. Botolph's Churchyard. No lead or timber
coffins were found. All the bones were of ancient origin. No offensive odours were experienced
during the progress of the work.
CANCER DIAGNOSIS
The City Corporation had for some years been considering the advisability and practicability
of inaugurating a Scheme in the City to provide, for members of the public, free examination
for the purpose of diagnosing whether such person is suffering from cancer or not, and by publicity
to encourage people to take advantage of this scheme so as to ensure that, if the disease
is present, it is diagnosed and treated in its early stages. In 1958 it was therefore decided to
approach the Governors of St. Bartholomew's Hospital with a view to enlisting their co-operation
in establishing a clinic for the diagnosing of cancer, in that hospital.
The facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer are generally available in our
National Health Scheme, but the Governors of St. Bartholomew's Hospital agreed to develop a
system of early laboratory diagnosis of cancer which could be applied to certain organs of women
in the first instance.
By the end of the year arrangements had reached such an advanced stage that it is possible
to state definitely that a clinic for the early laboratory diagnosis of cancer which could be applied
to certain organs of women will be established at St. Bartholomew's Hospital early in 1960.
These facilities will initially be offered only to certain sections of the community in order to
avoid congestion at the clinic. It is hoped, however, that after the elimination of possible
"teething troubles" the scheme will be extended.
The Corporation have no statutory powers to spend money on work of this nature out of rates
but have decided to do so out of City's Cash.
RADIOACTIVITY
At approximately 8.0 a.m. on Friday, 29th May, a fire occurred in the Value Offices Section
of the Parcels Office at Liverpool Street Station, Bishopsgate. This section is a small wired-in
part of the main office used for Customs goods and consignments of special value. The fire was
contained by the Fire Brigade in this small section. One fireman was said to have collapsed
after handling some small leaden tubes containing radioactive material and was taken to St.
Bartholomew's Hospital. He was discharged in about an hour, after having had a bath, with the
diagnosis that he had fainted. His colleagues in the fire crew were also examined for radioactivity
without result. This coincidence of the fireman fainting after handling the tubes was
magnified out of all proportion and resulted in Press reports which were alarming and quite
irresponsible. No matter how great the radiation there is no impact on the senses and no immediate
ill-effect. The isotope involved was Thorium X. Had it been Thorium, as it was first
stated in the early editions of the London newspapers, it would have been a major incident with
very great radiation hazards, since, for all practical purposes, it is indestructible.
Two parcels, each weighing approximately 1lb., containing Thorium X had been handed in at
7.20 a.m. for despatch by the 12-24 train. Thorium X is used for the removal of birth marks in
young children and for certain other skin diseases. It has a half-life of 3.65days. Half-life is the
time taken for half the radioactivity of a given preparation to decay. Half-lives vary from fractions
of a second to millions of years. Thorium, which was first reported by the Press, comes
within the latter category. Thorium X when sent by parcels service is specially packed. In each
parcel was a ½ c.c. in a small bottle. This in turn was placed in a leaden tube which is placed
in an electrically sealed plastic container, then suspended in a wooden box surrounded by sawdust,
to ensure that if by any mischance there is any radiation it is transmitted in all directions,
which weakens its effects.
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