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eradication. Unusual specimens are sent to the British Museum
(Natural History section) for identification and I am most
grateful to them for their willing and valuable assistance.
Control of Birds
The Local Authority are given power under Section 74 of the
Public Health Act, 1961, to take steps to abate nuisances caused
by the congregation in built up areas of doves, pigeons, starlings
or sparrows. One complaint only was received during the year.
HEALTH EDUCATION
During the year I gave a number of talks on health topics to
various associations in the Borough. Many more were given by the
Chief Public Health Inspector and his staff, and by the doctors,
health Visitors and nurses in all parts of the area. Where
appropriate, films and filmstrips are used; propaganda by posters
and leaflets has been continued.
In March 1962 and again in June 1963, posters stressing the
health hazard of smoking, especially cigarette smoking, were sent
to all the larger factories in the Borough. A contribution of
£14.6s,0d. was made by the Corporation to the Central Council for
Health Education.
GENERAL MATTERS
Typhoid Fever - Imported Cases
Cases of typhoid fever were reported in England and Wales among
persons who had left Zermatt, Switzerland, during the last week of
February, 1963.
In view of the threat of a possible typhoid epidemic in the
Borough, all establishments handling food were notified and
requested to contact the Public Health Department if any of their
employees had recently returned from Switzerland so that the
necessary arrangements for investigation could be put in hand
without delay. All medical practitioners were also alerted to be
on the look out for suspicious cases or possible contacts.
No cases were notified in the Borough in 1963.
Noise Nuisance
Complaints were received from many residents about noise from
a car-cleaning plant situated on a main road in Twickenham.
Through the generosity of the Wimbledon Public Health Department
a sound level indicator was borrowed, and the readings which were
produced were submitted to the Accoustics Section of the National
Physical Laboratory. From the conclusions which they reached and
after further consultation with the owners of the plant, additional
sound proofing measures were carried out to reduce the noise.
Complaints, however, were still being received and it was decided
to refer the matter to an accoustics expert for guidance.
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