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
Battersea 1921
Report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea for the year 1921
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The consideration of the matter was therefore adjourned
by the Council. Temporary improvements in the existing
station were, on the recommendation of the Health Committee,
sanctioned by the Borough Council, which have been useful
in relieving the congestion caused at times by the large
numbers waiting to be cleansed. These improvements included
the provision of a temporary waiting-room, an "Armstrong"
hut having been purchased and adapted for this purpose, and
placed on the land adjoining the Cleansing Station.
No steps were taken to proceed with the erection of the
new cleansing station during the year, but it is understood
that the work will be proceeded with in the ensuing year. The
need for a new and properly arranged building in place of the
present inadequate and otherwise unsuitable premises in which
this important and necessary work is now carried on is, as
pointed out in previous annual reports, most urgent; and it
is to be hoped that no unnecessary delay will occur in carrying
into effect the decision of the Council.
Summary of Work carried out by the Disinfecting Department during 1921.
| Premises disinfected | 2,815 | ||||
| Rooms disinfected | 5,020 | ||||
| Drains flushed | 2,185 | ||||
| Staircases disinfected | 244 | ||||
| Schools disinfected | 91 | ||||
| Number of articles laundered | 40,536 | ||||
| Number of articles destroyed | 1,452 | ||||
| Number of verminous persons (including 4,603 school children) | 4,947 | ||||
| Number of infectious disease contacts | 1,348 | ||||
| Number of Library books collected | 401 | ||||
| Total Articles. | Number. | Weight. | |||
| tons | cwts | qrs. | lbs. | ||
| Bedding, etc., disinfected | 106,296 | 234 | 9 | 1 | 4 |
| Bedding, etc., lent | 2,304 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 8 |
| Verminous clothing, etc. | 14,080 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 20 |
| Total | 122,680 | 246 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.
This Act, which became operative on the 1st January, 1919,
imposes on local authorities and occupiers of premises additional
responsibilities in connection with rat repression.
In Battersea the Council delegated their powers under the
Act to the Health Committee, who decided to organise a scheme
for rat repression in the Borough. The Council, on the recommendation
of the Committee, appointed an officer (qualified by