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
Heston and Isleworth 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Heston and Isleworth]
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Improper keeping of animals abated 2
Offensive accumulations removed 64
Other repairs carried out or nuisances abated 232
Visits re infectious diseases, etc. 874
Complaints continue to be received of nuisance caused by pigeons. The Department
does what it can to assist and advise complainants, but it must be pointed out
that the Council has no power to catch or destroy pigeons on private property or to
spend money for such a purpose.
EXCHANGE OF ARTICLES FOR RAGS, etc. Under the Public Health Act, 1936, it is
an offence for any person who collects or deals in rags, etc., to sell or deliver
whether gratuitously or not, any article whatsoever to a child under the age of 14
years in exchange for rags, etc. The Police notify the Council of any such contraventions
coming to their notice.
CLEAN AIR During the year the Public Health Inspectors made 297 smoke observations
and paid many visits to premises in regard to which complaints of smoke
nuisance had been received.
The Council co-operates with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research by measuring atmospheric pollution in the Borough. Two sets of apparatus are in use; one on the roof of the Health Department in Bath Road, Hounslow, and the other on the roof of Heath House, London Road, Isleworth. The detailed monthly analyses are forwarded for record and study to the Central Department, but the main features are recorded below:-
| Health Department | Heath House | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainfall (inches) | Deposit (tons per sq. mile) | Sulphur (Mgms. So3 per day per 100 sq. cm.) | Rainfall (inches) | Deposit (tons per sq. mile) | Sulphur (Mgms. So3 per day per 100 sq. cm.) | |
| January | 1.89 | 12.59 | 2.30 | 2.09 | 9.59 | 1.88 |
| February | 0.08 | 10.64 | 1.94 | 0.08 | 11.42 | 2.05 |
| March | 2.05 | 13.48 | 2.30 | 1.58 | 10.74 | 1.34 |
| April | 2.01 | 10.61 | 1.38 | 2.25 | 9.36 | 1.36 |
| May | 0.71 | 7.94 | 0.87 | 0.48 | 13.61 | 1.00 |
| June | 0.39 | 7.43 | 0.84 | 0.59 | 9.43 | 0.92 |
| July | 1.65 | 8.52 | 0.86 | 1.26 | 6.49 | 0.51 |
| August | 0.88 | 3.46 | 0.25 | 1.02 | 4.73 | 0.50 |
| September | 0.04 | 5.51 | 1.02 | 0.04 | 10.74 | 1.35 |
| October | 1.77 | 12.25 | 1.49 | 1.89 | 11.82 | 1.71 |
| November | 2.29 | 10.23 | 2.10 | 2.40 | 10.71 | 2.40 |
| December | 3.23 | 11.74 | 1.88 | 3.62 | 14.42 | 1.65 |
| Average | 1.42 | 9.53 | 1.43 | 1.44 | 10.25 | 1.39 |
| Average 1954-58 | 2.01 | 8. 78 | 1.01 | 1.97 | 9. 13 | 1.08 |
The Smoke Control Order made by the Council in November, 1958 was confirmed by
the Ministry and comes into operation on 1st October, 1960. During the year a second
Smoke Control Order was made by the Council and is awaiting confirmation by the
Minister.
TENTS, VANS AND CARAVANS. There are five sites in the Borough which have been
used as caravan sites for many years. Some are occupied wholly or in part by persons
who use caravans for business in connection with a travelling circus, fair or stall.
During the year, the inspectors made 419 visits of inspection because of the occupation
of land by caravans.
Trespass by caravans on road verges and unfenced land continues especially
on the western outskirts of the Borough. The vagrant type who occupy these caravans
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