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

Islington 1900

Forty-fifth annual report on the health and sanitary condition of the Borough of Islington

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140
1900]

Table: Disinfectants distributed and used.—The following statement gives the amount of disinfectants distributed by the Sanitary Authority, and used in cleansing rooms:—

Disinfectants distributed and used.—The following statement gives the amount of disinfectants distributed by the Sanitary Authority, and used in cleansing rooms:—

How disposed of.Carbolic Powder.Carbolised Creosote.Clear Carbolic Acid.
Tons.Gallons.Gallons.
To Householders4800—
Disinfection of Premises——50

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For the last few years great circumspection has been the rule in the
distribution of disinfectants to the public, who are not supplied with them unless
they produce an order from a sanitary inspector, or can show good reason why
they should be given them. The carbolised creosote, which contains 25 per cent.
of carbolic acid, is only distributed in blue fluted and hexagonal bottles, marked
in raised letters with the word " poison," and with directions printed on a red
label.

Table: SHELTER HOUSE. These premises were very little availed of during the year, only three families having been received into them. Families Accommodated.

SHELTER HOUSE. These premises were very little availed of during the year, only three families having been received into them. Families Accommodated.

Date of Admittance.Address.Number in Family.Cause.
February 16th50, Campbell Road2Diphtheria
March 9th81, St. James' Road4Scarlet Fever
October 10th114, George's Road3Scarlatina

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In addition to the above families two verminous men used the shelter while
their clothing was passed through the steam disinfector.
DUSTING AND SCAVENGING.
Although this class of work does not fall within the administrative department
of the Medical Officer of Health, yet it is of such importance, and has such a
direct influence on the public health, for on its proper and efficient execution the
health of the community to a not inconsiderable extent depends, that he always
reports on the manner in which it is carried out.
The applications for the removal of dust—that is to say, house refuse—which
at one period were numbered by tens of thousands, have now fallen to a few
hundreds.