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
Lambeth 1900
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lambeth, The Vestry of the Parish of]
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Sub-divided according to the different notifiable diseases, the results are as follows :—
| Diesase. | No. of Infected Houses. | Numbers shewing Defects as to | Percentage shewing Total Defects. | Percentage giving no Defects. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drains. | Traps, Fittings and Appliances. | Total. | ||||
| Smallpox | • •• | |||||
| Cholera* | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50.0 | 50.0 | |
| Diphtheria | 748 | 231 | 332 | 44.4 | 55.6 | |
| Membranous Croup | 6 | 2 | 2 | 33.3 | 66.7 | |
| Erysipelas | 231 | 33 | 76 | 109 | 47.2 | 52.8 |
| Scarlet Fever | 721 | 113 | 193 | 306 | 42.4 | 57.6 |
| Typhus | ||||||
| Typhoid | 254 | 34 | 89 | 123 | 48.4 | 51.6 |
| Continued or Relapsing | 17 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 41.2 | 58.8 |
| Puerperal | 13 | 6 | 6 | 46.2 | 53.8 | |
| Totals | 1992 | 285 | 601 | 886 | 44.5 | 5.55 |
*These were in all probability cases of Diarrhoea or Cholera Nostras.
As years go on, it necessarily follows that the defects
found, whether in drain pipes or in sanitary appliances,
will become less and less in numbers, the methods of
examination and the tests used being the same. On page
74 it is pointed out that, whilst the chemical (a smell) test
is satisfactory, it is not thoroughly satisfactory, as when a
negative result is obtained, the conclusion cannot be drawn
therefrom that the drains are perfect, or in good order and
condition. The late Vestry came to an important decision
during the year as to drain-testing as usually carried out.
(See page 74.)