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work of sanitary inspection can only be realised by carefully considering
the tables of inspection of food premises, food seizure, drain
testing, sampling, notices served, nuisances abated, and other details
of the work of the Department set out in the body of this Report.
Nuisance from smoke is always a matter difficult to deal with,
and the Council agreed to recommend that the London County Council
should be asked to make a bye-law for the County of London prescribing
that the amount of black smoke for a period of two minutes in
the aggregate within any continuous period of thirty minutes from
any one chimney, other than a private dwelling house, shall, until the
contrary is proved, be presumed to be a nuisance.
During 1929 no fewer than 210 premises have been cleared of
rats, 422 rooms sprayed or otherwise cleared of vermin, 2,705 rooms
disinfected, 66,341 articles disinfected, and 3,275 adults and children
cleansed from parasitic infection, by the staff of the Public Health
Department.
Disinfection.
The Council has purchased a small high-pressure steam disinfector
for the disinfection of small articles, such for instance as the
clothing of verminous persons. This became necessary by reason of
the increased amount of work that has now to be done. During the
year it was found that the boiler at the Disinfecting Station had
developed a serious leakage, and upon examination it was found to
have wasted badly at the base. After the necessary repairs had been
completed, an improvement was made by refixing the boiler in what
was previously the coal store, which has now been converted into a
separate boiler house.
The water storage tank was found to be nearly rusted through,
and a new and enlarged tank has now been provided. The cart shed
has been converted into a coal store, so that coal can be stored near
the boiler. Particulars of disinfection will be found on pages 67 & 68.
Smallpox has caused considerable additional expense and overtime
work in this respect.
A bathroom has been provided for the men engaged in the cleansing
of verminous rooms, the removal of verminous bedding and disinfecting
work, so that they can cleanse themselves before returning to
their homes.
Housing.
The Council expressed the opinion that the suspensory provisions
in the bye-laws as to houses divided into separate tenements should
cease to have effect as regards houses which become wholly decontrolled
under the Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Acts.