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
Deptford 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Deptford Borough]
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| Inspection for | Total for Year | Total Jan.-April | Percentage of Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan.-April(33%) | May-December(66%) | |||
| Complaints | 2,560 | 832 | 33% | 67% |
| Infectious Diseases | 299 | 121 | 40% | 60% |
| Notices from Builders | 299 | 79 | 27% | 73% |
| Special Housing | 537 | 197 | 36% | 64% |
| Miscellaneous | 1,191 | 438 | 37% | 63% |
| Factories (Non-Power) | 58 | 42 | 72% | 28% |
| Factories (Power) | 245 | 199 | 81% | 19% |
| Food Premises— (Cafes, etc.) | 498 | 328 | 66% | 34% |
| Butchers | 123 | 60 | 50% | 50% |
| Ice Cream | 114 | 88 | 77% | 23% |
| Milk Premises | 63 | 44 | 70% | 30% |
| Bakehouses | 31 | 27 | 87% | 13% |
| Fish Premises | 67 | 34 | 51% | 49% |
| Outworkers | 65 | 52 | 80% | 20% |
| Shops Act | 646 | 437 | 68% | 32% |
These figures demonstrate that although the urgent works requiring
the attention of the Sanitary Inspectors were comparable throughout
the year, i.e., 331/3 to 662/3, the routine matters, although perhaps of long
term value to the community in general, suffered a serious decline.
Details of inspections and sanitary improvements effected will be found in the Appendix Tables II and III, but a summary of the work is shown below with comparative figures for some previous years:—
| 1938 | 1946 | 1951 | 1952 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total primary inspections | 9,505 | 8,609 | 7,873 | 6,844 |
| Total re-inspections | 19,968 | 23,840 | 25,536 | 19,868 |
| Total intimation notices served | 2,694 | 1,758 | 2,225 | 1,612 |
| Total statutory notices served | 824 | 702 | 972 | 662 |
| Total premises on which works were completed | 2,585 | 1,695 | 2,495 | 1,709 |
| Total improvements effected during the year | 11,425 | 3,937 | 8,563 | 5,226 |
In general defects were dealt with under the provisions of the Public
Health (London) Act, 1936, and the Housing Act, 1936, Section 9 was
only used in two instances.