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A search of the literature was made by the Staff of the
London School of Hygiene through the courtesy of Professor
Sir Wilson Jameson, and it had to be admitted that no article
could be found dealing specifically with the effect upon the
health of workers in refuse destructors, at any rate, no statistics
were available. Odours can be eliminated by heating all gases
to a high temperature. Firemen can be relieved of the intense
heat by the installation of ventilating fans. Some articles have
mentioned that dust and grime associated with the occupations
of stokers may produce some form of eczema of the ear; while
as regards putrefactive odours some authorities say their effect
upon resistence to disease is still unproven, but state that such
gases may exert an effect upon the appetite. Another writer
has stated that he could demonstrate no dust hazard resulting
in sickness.
Attention was drawn—(1) to the fine dust in the various
parts of the Works; (2) to the ventilation of and the dust and
heat accumulating in the incinerator house and clinker floor,
and (3) the poor footwear of the men in certain parts of the
Works.
In due course all these points received the consideration of
the Public Cleansing Committee.
September—The National Emergency.
A report was submitted on the action taken in Wembley
regarding the casualty services. This dealt with general principles
as to the important pivotal duty of the First Aid Posts and
the necessity of a doctor and a trained nurse being present, if
possible. The lay-out of the posts as adopted was described,
along with the details of the personnel—doctors, trained nurses
and other trained persons and the medical supplies.
October—Library Books and Notifiable Diseases.
On request the provisions dealing with notifiable diseases
as to library books were circulated to all libraries within the
Borough, as follows:—
The Public Health Act, 1936, Section 155, is as follows:—
(1) A person who knows that he is suffering from a notifiable
disease shall not take any book, or cause any
book to be taken for his use, or use any book taken,
from any public or circulating library.
(2) A person shall not permit any book which has been
taken from a public or circulating library, and is under
his control, to be used by any person whom he knows
to be suffering from a notifiable disease.
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