London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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East Ham 1937

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]

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115
(e) Factories and Workshops.
Inspections of factories, workshops, and outworkers'
premises numbered 568. Seventy-eight defects found, necessitated
the service of 12 notices, and during the year 53 defects were
remedied.
(f) Cinemas.
The sanitary conditions at the cinemas, theatre and public
houses were inspected during the year and a number of improvements
effected.
(g) Rat Extermination.
The services of the official ratcatcher were supplemented during
the year by further assistance being employed on Corporation
lands which have been subject to serious infestation of recent
years. During the year 2,514 visits were made to properties in
the Borough and 4,599 rats were destroyed.
(h) Atmospheric Pollution.
Investigations of complaints of offensive fumes arising from
industrial plants continue to engage our attention, and during the
year 287 visits were made.
At one manufactory a plant for rendering innocuous certain
fumes arising from the processes carried on was installed.
(i) Mosquito Control.
Spraying of mosquito infested ditches and watercourses with
larvicide was again undertaken during the year and proved a
satisfactory antidote against serious nuisance.
(j) Special Classes of Premises and Occupations subject to
control of the Local Authority.
The conduct of certain offensive trades leaves much to be
desired. The disposition of the gutscraping business and small
fat melting business may become such that complaints of nuisance
will become inevitable on account of the effluvia arising from these
manufactories. The rag sorting businesses have demanded constant
vigilance by the inspectorate.
(k) Caravan Encampment.
In the report of the Sanitary Inspector for 1898 the following
appears:—