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
City of London 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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PIGEON CONTROL
The Public Health Act, 1961, gives local authorities permissive power to take steps to
abate or mitigate nuisance from pigeons believed to have no owner.
Complaints have been received of the fouling caused by the excessive numbers of pigeons
in some parts of the City and of the damage they cause to the young plants in the gardens being
established to brighten the City scene. The City Corporation continued to use the services of a
pest control firm and in addition control measures were undertaken directly by the Corporation
staff, but it is work that has to be carried out with circumspection and skill as there is no
intention to eliminate all bird life from the City.
These control measures generally have been successful in preventing the pigeon population
reaching unacceptable levels.
| Bodies received | 172 |
| Post Mortem Examinations made | 172 |
| Inquests on bodies | 37 |
| Inquests held at Holloway Prison | 2 |
| Inquests on fires | 1 |
| Inquests on Treasure Trove | NIL |
| Articles, by weight | 8 tons 13cwt |
| No. of articles disinfected | 282,232 |
| No. of operations | 954 |
| Fees received | £1688.65 |
| Cells at Police Stations disinfected | 17 |
| Lockers at Post Offices disinfected | 2 |
| Verminous premises disinfected | 8 |
| Beds and bedding disinfected | 3447 |
| No. of verminous persons bathed | 1091 |
| No. of persons with scabies bathed | 4 |
| No. of articles disinfected | 10950 |
CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS
During the year arrangements were made, where it was intended to let premises in the
control of the Corporation for catering purposes, for the Chief Officers concerned to have prior
consultation with this Department. Public Health staff working in the field have felt for some
time that many of the problems associated with catering establishments could have been avoided
with a proper system of prior approval, with adequate safeguards for the existing caterer.
The great majority of conscientious caterers, and this certainly applies to the City caterers,
can view such proposals with assured confidence, since it is only those who are attempting to
commence operations in cramped, inadequate premises without essential basic facilities (or
those who radically alter their modes of business) would have anything about which to be concerned.
Difficulties always arise when people endeavour to convert for catering purposes premises
which are inherently unsuitable.
The past year has seen an appreciable increase in the growth of sandwich bars, from which
premises there are also large sales of "take-away" foods, such as soups, pies, sandwiches,
tea or coffee. The large traditional multiple caterers continue their policy of withdrawal from
the City and in many cases the sandwich bars with associated sales take their place. The
serving of food in public houses is still expanding, particularly at the bar counter, and it is
prudent that more consideration should be given to the protection of food on display in these
circumstances.
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