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

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Richmond upon Thames 1963

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond]

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18
the public to satisfy Post Office regulations, and a small charge is made
for the treatment.
A summary of the work done is contained in Table 21.
6. Atmospheric Pollution.
(a) The fourth Smoke Control Order came into operation on 1st
October, 1963, and the Council made the No. 5 Smoke Control Order
during the year which comes into operation on 1st October, 1964.

The progress made in the Clean Air programme is summarised below: —

Area.Dwelling.Other Premises.
No. 1 Order85 acres3383
No. 2 Order1,910 acres1,51783
No. 3 Order382 acres1,877112
No. 4 Order122 acres1,068485
No. 5 Order126 acres2,28024

The work of approving proposed works of firegrate adaptations and
of examining grant applications has proceeded smoothly and the Clean
Air Officer has endeavoured to give householders full information and
advice on every enquiry made to the department. The Council have
given sympathetic consideration to many cases of financial hardship
and, where need has been shown, a 100% grant has been made
instead of the normal 70% grant.
(b) Complaints of Smoke Emission. The number of complaints
received has remained low and they have referred to bonfires in
gardens and on building sites rather than to industrial chimneys. The
few complaints made of smoke emission from factory chimneys were
properly investigated and the advice given generally resulted in the
desired improvement. No legal proceedings were taken in the year
for any contravention of the Clean Air Act.
7. Diseases of Animals Act, 1950.
Suspected swine fever at a Petersham farm was notified in February,
1963 and an Infected Place Notice was served upon the occupiers as
required by the Swine Fever Order. The outbreak was later confirmed
by officers of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and all
necessary precautions were taken to control the outbreak. The restrictions
imposed were removed in the following month.
Routine visits were continued to the Ham piggery during the
year to insure that all waste foods for animal feeding are sterilized
by heat treatment.