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
St Pancras 1920
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, Metropolitan Borough]
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31
DISINFECTING AND CLEANSING STATION.
Disinfection.
The work done during the year by the disinfecting staff is shown in the following table:—
| Disease. | No. of Cases. | No. of Houses. | No. of Rooms Contents Disinfected or Destroyed. | No. of Rooms Sprayed and Fumigated. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small-pox | — | — | — | — |
| Scarlet Fever | 764 | 748 | 880 | 875 |
| Diphtheria | 630 | 627 | 700 | 711 |
| Enteric Fever | 17 | 17 | 17 | 9 |
| Erysipelas | 73 | 73 | 72 | 38 |
| Puerperal Fever | 17 | 17 | 17 | 12 |
| Cerebrospinal Meningitis | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Consumption | 75 | 75 | 78 | 79 |
| Measles | 48 | 48 | 59 | 53 |
| Cancer | 33 | 33 | 32 | 26 |
| Vermin and Scabies | 67 | 67 | 65 | 15 |
| Other Diseases | 160 | 160 | 176 | 110 |
| Totals | 1887 | 1868 | 2100 | 1932 |
Below is shown the number of articles destroyed or disinfected during the year on account of infectious disease and verminousness:—
| Infectious Disease | Verminousness. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Destroyed. | Disinfected. | Destroyed. | Disinfected. | |
| Beds, mattresses and palliasses | 28 | 2134 | 1 | 62 |
| Bolsters and pillows | 13 | 3960 | 3 | 73 |
| Sheets, blankets and counterpanes | 1 | 5923 | — | 698 |
| Rugs, mats, cushions, carpets, covers, and curtains | 7 | 958 | — | 31 |
| Wearing apparel | 7 | 2873 | 3 | 28 |
| Books | 42 | 77 | — | — |
| Sundries | 5 | 578 | — | 9 |
| Total | 103 | 16503 | 7 | 901 |
These figures include 478 blankets, 15 mattresses, 9 bolsters and sheets, 26 pillows,
and 11 articles of wearing apparel and sundries which were disinfected on account of
verminousness for voluntary bodies (such as the Y.M.C.A.) who provide accommodation for
soldiers.
The tables above are exclusive of the disinfection of the clothing of persons attending
the cleansing station for vermin or scabies.