View report page

The Middlesex County Council Main Drainage Department has reported a number of
unsatisfactory samples from surface water sewers and the presence of foam from
detergents on the water courses. This led to a survey by the Public Health Inspectors
of properties for the presence of sinks and lavatory basins connected so that their
effluent discharged into the surface water system, and these were dealt with under
Section 34 of the Public Health Act. Much of this surface water flows to the Welsh
Harp which is being increasingly used for sailing.
The routine work of the Department in the eradication of vermin continues,
and during the year the tragic death of a Hendon resident, on holiday elsewhere, as
a result of a wasp sting, serves to draw attention to the valuable work done in the
Borough by the destruction of wasps nests. During the year 355 nests were destroyed.
The pigeon has now joined the ranks of pests and the number of wild pigeons is
increasing. They have established breeding places under several railway arches. A
recent investigation reported in the medical press suggests that the pigeon can sometimes
carry a disease known as ornithosis to human contacts.
At the instigation of the Director of the Centra] Laboratory of the Public
Health Laboratory Service an investigation was carried out to see if pet foods played
a significant part in the spread of food poisoning. Most pet foods were found to be
free from infection, but it is desirable that untinned pet meats should be prepared
well apart from food intended for household consumption.
The total number of road accidents showed a decrease, but more people were
killed on Hendon roads. During the year the use of safety belts in cars increased
considerably, and a new length of motorway was completed in the Borough.
During the year considerable progress was made with the No.2 Smoke Control Area,
which covers a substantial part of the Garden Suburb, with Finchley, Hornsey and
Hampstead to form a very large Smoke Control Area with the Garden Suburb as its
centre. I am indebted to the help given by the Hampstead Garden Fellowship for their
patient explanation of the benefits of clean air to many of the older residents in
the Suburb.
I have included in my Report an extract from the report of the Hendon Old
People's Housing Society and the report of the Chairman of the Borough of Hendon Old
People's Welfare Committee.
I would like to thank the members of the Public Health Committee for their
support and encouragement, and also the members of the staff for their loyal and
conscientious service during the year.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
J.L. PATTON,
Medical Officer of Health
5