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
Ilford 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]
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In addition to the above, 266 notices (57 statutory and 209 informal)
served previous to 1st January, 1956, were also complied with.
Complaints— During the year 4,243 complaints of nuisances were received
and investigated.
The following is a summary:—
| Accumulation of manure and refuse | 42 | |
| Animals improperly kept | 14 | |
| Bad smells | 74 | |
| Dampness of premises | 129 | |
| Defective drains, w.c.'s and fittings | 542 | |
| Defective roofs, gutters, downpipes, etc. | 144 | |
| Defective water fittings | 75 | |
| Dirty and verminous houses | 19 | |
| Dirty condition of rearway | 8 | |
| Flooding of premises | 28 | |
| Overcrowding | 43 | |
| Smoke nuisances | 67 | |
| Defective or no provision of dustbin | 2,097 | |
| Rats and mice | 541 | |
| Miscellaneous | 420 | |
| Total | 4,243 |
(vi) Shops Act, 1950 (Section 38).—Since this Act came into operation
the Public Health Inspectors have made inspections in accordance with
Section 38.
During the year 142 inspections were made, 1 Preliminary Notice was
served, which was complied with.
No Certificate of Exemption from the provisions of Section 38 was
granted in 1956.
(vii) Eradication of Bed Bugs:—
Houses found to be infested 19
„ Disinfested 19
(viii) Slaughter of Animals Acts, 1933 to 1954.—No licence to act
as slaughterman was granted during the year.
(ix) Rag, Flock and Other Filling Materials Act. 1951—Registration
has been granted in respect of 15 premises, where filling materials, as
specified in the Act, are used.
The occupier of registered premises may only obtain " rag flock " from
premises licensed under the Act, either for the manufacture of rag flock or
as a rag flock store. One licence was renewed in 1956 in respect of premises
used as a rag flock store.
(x) Atmospheric Pollution.—Complaints were received of alleged
smoke nuisance from 9 factories in the Roding Lane, Grove Road and
Newbury Park areas. Regular observations were maintained and investigations
carried out. In 4 instances no emission was noted which would have
enabled action to be taken under the Public Health Act, 1936, but 1
Statutory Notice and 3 informal notices were served in the other instances.
The Government Committee on Air Pollution in its report recommended,
amongst other matters, that steps should be taken to secure fuller
and more frequent measurements of pollution and stated that local
authorities could give most valuable service in this respect.
The Council decided to provide three sets of apparatus each comprising
a deposit gauge, a lead peroxide gauge and a combined volumetric
for sulphur dioxide and smoke filter.
These have now been installed at the Town Hall, Gants Hill Library
and John Bramston School and measurements commenced in 1957.