London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Bermondsey 1914

Report on the sanitary condition of the Borough of Bermondsey for the year 1914

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"4. See that all back yards are properly paved and regularly
swept so that no dirt will be about.
"5. All manure should be sprinkled with carbolic or some
other disinfectant and removed daily.
"6. Fly papers and traps are very useful but it is much more
important not to leave food and other materials about that they
can feed and breed on.
"7. Sugar, treacle and jams should not be left lying about
uncovered.
"8. Milk vessels should be carefully covered with a damp
cloth when not in use.
"9. Scrupulous cleanliness in the house, especially where food
is prepared, eaten, or stored, is most important.
"10. Scrupulous cleanliness outside in yards and outhouses is
also very important."
"The campaign which has been instituted by the Council
through the distribution of the handbills and posters is being
followed up. The inspectors have received practical instruction in
the development of flies so that they now know where to look for
their breeding places. The clergymen, doctors, and others are
being written to with a view to enlisting their sympathy and cooperation
and following the advice of Dr. E. Halford Ross, of the
Lister Institute, who has written an excellent little book on the
subject, and to whom I am indebted for many suggestions, I am
having a spot map of "fly lairs" prepared, so that those places
which breed a large number of flies will be kept under observation
with a view to systematic cleansing."