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issued in 1936 and 5,473, 749, 1,402, and 96 in the succeeding years.
No houses this year were inspected under the Housing Consolidated
Regulations.
The housing situation in the district remains acute. Subletting,
though very prevalent does not meet the demand for accommodation.
Apart from the inconvenience which arises to the ordinary householders
in cramped surroundings, the cases of some in special circumstances
are particularly distressing. One type is the expectant mother whose
accommodation is severely restricted, more particularly as it is proving
increasingly difficult for those whose claim for admission to hospital
for confinement is based not on medical grounds but more on domestic
circumstances, to find any hospital which can accept them. Then
there is the case of the mother of a young child or children who, because
she can obtain accommodation only in an upstairs flat cannot see that
her children get the fresh air they need. The tuberculous patient, too,
might be a source of infection not only to the members of his family
living in cramped conditions with him but may be a risk to members,
especially young members, of any family occupying part of the same
house. In some instances deplorable conditions have arisen because
his family has followed to an address a man who was in lodgings.
Verminous Premises.
Sixty-three premises were inspected on receipt of complaint of
infestation by insects or vermin, chiefly ants, crickets, beetles, cockroaches,
etc. The number of premises found to be bug infested was
48. In most instances where infestation was heavy, fumigation was
carried out by firms using cyanide gas.
Inspection of Other Premises.
These premises include those at which nuisances might be anticipated,
and to which 648 visits were paid. Another group of premises
which are the subject of periodical inspection and to which 585 visits
were paid consisted mainly of public and private conveniences and air
raid shelters.
smoke abatement.
Nineteen observations for smoke nuisances have been carried out.
During the 175 minutes' observations dense smoke was seen for 8 minutes,
and moderate smoke for 111 minutes.
factory act.
In this district there are 465 factories with mechanical power, 145
without mechanical power and 123 workplaces. The numbers of visits
paid to these three classes of premises were 622, 215 and 122.
Of the 97 public health nuisances detected, 26 were due to want
of cleanliness and one to defective heating. The sanitary accommodation
was unsatisfactory in 53 instances, being unsuitable or defective in
H, unclean in 35, and insufficient in 7. Seventeen other nuisances were
noted.
Particulars of 122 outworkers resident in this area were received. To
these 214 visits were paid.