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
Kensington 1906
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health 1906
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The businesses carried on at the registered premises are set out in the subjoined list:—
| Trade or Business. | North Kensington. | South Kensington. | Total in the Borough. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art needlework | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Blind-maker | — | 1 | 1 |
| Blouse-maker | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Boot beader | 1 | — | 1 |
| ,, closer | 2 | — | 2 |
| Colour printer | 1 | — | 1 |
| Corset maker | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Cracker maker | 1 | — | 1 |
| Dressmaker and ladies' tailor | 79 | 318 | 397 |
| Dyer and cleaner | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Eyelet hole finisher | 1 | — | 1 |
| Firewood manufacturer | 1 | — | 1 |
| Furrier | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Hair wash manufacturer | 1 | — | 1 |
| Hosier | — | 1 | 1 |
| Lace worker | — | 1 | 1 |
| Lamp shade maker | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Laundry (workshop) | 210 | 14 | 224 |
| „ (factory) | 65 | — | 65 |
| Machinist | — | 1 | 1 |
| Mantle maker | — | 4 | 4 |
| Milliner | 5 | 41 | 46 |
| Outfitter | — | 2 | 2 |
| Photographer | 2 | 12 | 14 |
| Pickle manufacturer | 1 | — | 1 |
| Printer | — | 2 | 2 |
| Rag-sorter | 2 | — | 2 |
| Restaurant and dining room keeper | 38 | 43 | 81 |
| Silversmith | — | 1 | 1 |
| Tailor | 22 | 5 | 27 |
| Typist | — | 2 | 2 |
| Umbrella manufacturer | — | 1 | 1 |
| Upholsterer | 1 | 10 | 11 |
| Waistcoat maker | 2 | — | 2 |
| Wig maker | — | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 446 | 481 | 927 |
"The several premises were inspected more or less frequently according to the needs and
circumstances of individual cases, and all complaints, whether made by H.M. Inspector or otherwise,
received immediate attention. At several workshops improvements to ventilation, a matter
within the jurisdiction of the Council, were carried out.
"Overcrowding.—We are glad to report a decrease in regard to the number of instances in
which this ' nuisance' was observed; twenty-three, compared with thirty-six in 1905.
"Sanitary Conveniences, separate for the two sexes, are required by law, and are provided.
At four workshops additional accommodation was provided at premises where persons of both sexes
were employed in separate businesses carried on thereat.
"Outworkers.—The names and addresses of 369 outworkers working for firms within the
Borough were forwarded to the Medical Officers of Health of the several Boroughs in which they
resided; whilst the names and addresses of 262 outworkers residing in Kensington, but working
for firms in other Boroughs, were received from the Medical Officers of Health. About 50
employers failed to send in the half-yearly list of names anl addresses of their outworkers.
Renewed efforts were made in the autumn to impress upon them, and indeed, all employers, the
duty of sending in the required lists at the appointed dates; viz., the first day of February and
the first day of August in each year. Visits were paid to these (and, indeed, to all) employers of outworkers,
which resulted in thirty-nine additional lists being sent in before the end of the year.
In the remaining eleven cases, mostly laundry workshops, it was stated that at the period in
question, outworkers were not being employed, the work carried on at the several premises being
of a seasonal character.
"Infectious Disease.—Cases of notifiable diseases occurred at thirty-three workshops: scarlet
fever in 19 instances; diphtheria in 8; erysipelas in 4; and typhoid fever in two. The sufferers
from scarlet fever and diphtheria were removed to hospital. The necessary measures—including
disinfection—were taken, and there was no spread of illness. The cases of erysipelas were mild,
and required no special precautions.