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
Lewisham 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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22
SECTION B — GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES
Disinfection and personal cleansing
Details of the work carried out during the year are as follows :—
Disinfecting Station
| West | North | South | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disinfection | ||||
| Premises visited | 112 | 103 | 148 | 363 |
| Rooms disinfected | 227 | 237 | 307 | 771 |
| Articles disinfected | 2146 | 1975 | 1576 | 5697 |
| Disinfestation | ||||
| Premises visited | 27 | 18 | 3 | 48 |
| Rooms disinfested | 97 | 45 | 5 | 147 |
| Articles disinfested | 60 | 24 | 3 | 87 |
| Articles treated | ||||
| Beds | 53 | 40 | 48 | 141 |
| Mattresses | 138 | 122 | 158 | 418 |
| Bolsters | 38 | 28 | 25 | 91 |
| Pillows | 329 | 166 | 267 | 762 |
| Cushions | 24 | 21 | 25 | 70 |
| Quilts | 69 | 65 | 93 | 227 |
| Blankets | 383 | 163 | 320 | 866 |
| Sheets | 92 | 67 | 100 | 259 |
| Household articles | 457 | 410 | 251 | 1118 |
| Wearing apparel | 623 | 917 | 292 | 1832 |
| Total articles | 2206 | 1999 | 1579 | 5784 |
| Articles received from the cleansing station | - | 2126 | - | 2126 |
| Articles received from the Coroner's court | — | 656 | — | 656 |
| Public library books treated after infection | 173 | 306 | 269 | 748 |
| Private library books treated after infection | 47 | 2 | 44 | 93 |
| Articles treated under the Public Health (London) Act s.122 | 9301 | 13889 | 18177 | 41367 |
A more detailed analysis of treatments for verminous conditions
and for scabies is shown :—
| First cleansing | Second cleansing | Third cleansing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children under 5 | 28 | 1 | - |
| School children | 251 | 30 | 2 |
| Adults | 43 | — | — |
| TOTALS | 322 | 31 | 2 |