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
Greenwich 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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Many other types of infestation were encountered and the following is a list of the treatments which were carried out in connection therewith.
| Complaints | Treatments | Rooms | External Areas | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beetles: | ||||
| 9 | 9 | 21 | — | |
| 16 | 16 | 48 | 1 | |
| 2 | 2 | 6 | — | |
| 2 | 1 | 3 | — | |
| 1 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | |
| Earwigs | 32 | 26 | 47 | 20 |
| Fleas | 158 | 148 | 852 | 2 |
| May Bugs | 3 | — | — | — |
| Meal Worms | 3 | 2 | 6 | — |
| Moths | 1 | 1 | — | 1 |
| Psocids | 10 | 8 | 21 | — |
| Silverfish | 36 | 33 | 94 | |
| Slugs | 4 | 4 | 7 | 3 |
| Spiders | — | — | — | — |
| Wild Bees | 24 | 10 | — | 10 |
| Wood Lice | 1 | 1 | 3 | — |
| Woodworm | 4 | 3 | 11 | — |
| Misc. Insects | 29 | 31 | 57 | 1 |
Seventy-two requests for spraying for other reasons such as bad
smells, offensive deposits, etc., were met by treatments to 447
rooms and 84 external areas.
Precautionary Spraying.—During the year, at 30 premises,
unwanted bedding, furniture and miscellaneous household effects
were sprayed as a precautionary measure prior to removal by the
staff of the Borough Engineer and Director of Basic Services.
Treatment was effected in 67 rooms and 5 external areas.
Verminous Conditions
The procedure adopted to combat infestation by lice and general
verminous conditions is essentially the same.
Treatment for all cases and contacts is earned out at the Tunnel Avenue, Lionel Road and Plumstead High Street Cleansing Stations and the following Return summarises the work carried out during the year :—
| Attendances | ||
|---|---|---|
| Vermin | Scabies | |
| Adults | 64 | 238 |
| Children under school age | 109 | 104 |
| School children | 736 | 360 |
| Totals | 909 | 702 |