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26.
COMPULSORY REMOVAL OF AGED AND INFIRM PERSONS.
Under Section 47 of the National Assistance Aot, 1948, the Council are
empowered to apply to a Court for an Order for tho removal to hospital or
other institution of a person who is aged, infirm or physically incapacitated,
and who is living in insanitary conditions and "unable to devote to himself,
and is not receiving from other persons proper care and attention".
In addition, during 1951, the National Assistance (Amendment) Act came
into force. Under this Act, on certification by the Medical Officer of
Health and another practitioner, emergency removals of such people for
periods not exceeding three weeks may be enforced by the Courts.
Both these Acts were used in the case of a woman aged 58 years who
refused either to be helped or to help herself. She was suffering from an
obvious cataract of one eye, with no useful vision in the other, and it was
hoped that some sight might be regained by immediate examination and treatment
by a Consultant. The "Amendment" Act was used in order to get her
examined at Moorfields Eye Hospital, but unfortunately the condition was
found to be too far advanced for any sight to be saved. She was therefore
certified as a blind person, and removed under Section 47 to a London
Counity Council Home where she still remains. She now admits to being more
comfortable than before, as well as reoeiving some training.
RAG AND BONE DEALERS.
There are 18 premises in the Borough in which the business of Rag and
Bone Dealer is carried on. 100 Visits were paid during the year.
PLEASURE FAIR BYE-LAWS.
Inspections were made of ail sites which were used as fair-grounds
during the year, but no contravention of these bye-laws was observed.
RENT AND MORTGAGE (RESTRICTIONS) ACTS.
During the year 16 certificates were issued to tenants as to houses not
being in a reasonable state of repair.
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION.
During the year 499 observations of non-domestic chimneys in the Borough
were made by the Sanitary Inspectors.