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
Stepney 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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Mosquitoes - Nuisance in Dock Areas.
An outbreak of infestation by a biting mosquito known as
Culex molestus occurred in districts in the dock areas for a
period of several weeks between September and November, and
considerable difficulty was experienced in tracing the source.
.Eventually, with the kind assistance of the Medical Research
Council's Malaria Reference Laboratory, exploration was made
in an underground reservoir belonging to a hydraulic power
company. This was found to be heavily infested with larvae
and adult Culex molestus mosquitoes. Treatment of the
reservoir with oil proved very effective.
Noise Nuisances.
Five complaints received during the year of alleged
noise nuisance were investigated, resulting in the service of
one notice under the provisions of the London County Council
(General Powers) Act, 1937.
Notices Served.
Informal notices served under the various Acts during the year were as followst-
| Public Health (London) Act, 1936 | 4418 |
| Factories Act, 1937 & 1948 | 103 |
| Shops Act, 1950 | 9 |
| Byelaws for Houses in Separate Tenements | 6 |
| London County Council (Poultry Slaughterhouse) Byelaws | 4 |
| London County Council (General.Powers) Act. 1937 (Noise Nuisance) | 1 |
| London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1939 (Ashpits) | 1 |
| Stepney Council Pleasure Fair Byelaws, 1952 | 1 |
| Miscellaneous | 5 |
| 4548 |
Formal statutory notices served during the year
amounted to 1,204.
Offensive Accumulations of Refuse.
Accumulations of refuse in basements which were used
during the war as emergency water supply tanks were removed
by the Borough Council, acting as agents for the County
Council.
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