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Road. These are of course by no means ideal and it is hoped that a permanent
clinic on the North Side of the district will soon be proceeded with.
A tentative site for this has been earmarked in an open space belonging to
the Council and leading off Allendale Avenue.
A problem which is becoming more acute is that of noise. By this
is not meant the inevitable increase in the " background of noise " which is
part and parcel of increasing urbanisation, but the more specific causes of
noise in so far as they affect health. Of particular concern to Southall is
the noise from aeroplanes, especially at night time. Southall has two aerodromes,
Hanworth and Heston, within a short distance, the latter being just
over the boundary. It is stated that Heston will shortly increase greatly
in its volume of traffic, and as advances are made there will undoubtedly
be a great increase in the amount of night-flying. There is evidence to show
that a mere background of noise, if excessive is injurious to health. Noise
at such time and of such degree of intensity as to arouse sleepers and to keep
them awake must be potentially even more injurious to health. Unfortunately
all aeroplane constructive advance so far seems to have been in the
direction of increased stability, speed and general efficiency ; very little has
been done with regard to the suppression of excessive sound. Motor cars
and motor cycles were at quite an early stage in their development subjected
to restrictive legislation with regard to noise and it certainly seems desirable,
if not essential in the interest of health, that aircraft too should be controlled
in this way.
Towards the end of the year a general scheme oi re-organisation was
introduced into the Department, and it says much for the co-operation and
efficiency of the staff, both at the Manor House and at the Hospital, that the
unavoidable difficulties and inconveniences necessarily associated with such
a scheme were surmounted without any trouble. It is a great pleasure to
pay a tribute to the Staff in this way, and also to Dr. Seccombe whose advice
and assistance enabled me to take over the Department with a minimum
of difficulty. It is also gratifying to record that the Council have appointed
Dr. Seccombe as mv official deputy.
The report which follows is in outline in accordance with the suggestions
of the Ministry of Health. It is therefore necessarily in great part
statistical.
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