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
Lambeth 1916
Report on the vital and sanitary statistics of the Borough of Lambeth during the year 1916
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For comparison, the yearly averages for the past 25 years may be stated. They are as follow :— Yearly Averages.
| 1891-1900. (10 years.) | 1901-1905. (5 years.) | 1906-1910. (5 years.) | 1911-1915 (5 years.) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of infected houses | 2246.1 | 1682.6 | 1719.2 | 1623.2 |
| Houses with defects found | 1150.0 | 911.2 | 1033.6 | 798.6 |
| Houses with defective drains | 438.3 | 214.6 | 166.6 | 102.8 |
| Houses with no defects found | 1088.1 | 771.4 | 685.6 | 824.6 |
Unsound Food.
Several consignments of unsound or damaged food (including
31 tons of barley, 10 tons of wheat, 4,424 boxes of dried plums, 137
boxes of dates, 148 bags of flour, 1 ½ tons of peas, 10 quarters of oats,
36 boxes of picnic hams, 2 crates of rabbits, 1 box of Irish fowls, and
90 casks of dirty and rancid butter), discovered within the Borough,
were inspected, condemned and destroyed or otherwise dealt with
under the supervision of the Sanitary Inspectors and the details
reported to the Council at the time. In the case of the damaged
flour, barley, oats, wheat and peas, the food was allowed to be made
into poultry food or dog biscuits.
Inspection of Market Thoroughfares.
The market thoroughfares were under bi-weekly special inspections
by the Sanitary Inspectors, 2 Inspectors being on duty at a
time —Saturday night (9 to 12) and Sunday mornings (9 to 12).
The market thoroughfares are Atlantic Road, Wandsworth Road
New Cut, Lower Marsh, and Lambeth Walk. These systematic
inspections are of value in securing wholesome food being exposed
on stalls and in shops for sale. No official seizures under the Act
were necessary.
Outside Urinals of Public Houses.
The outside urinals connected with public houses were under
inspection, and notices were served as required.
Male Public Conveniences.
The male public conveniences situated within the Borough are
under the supervision of the male Inspectors.