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

London County Council 1906

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

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Table: SANITARY OFFICERS

SANITARY OFFICERS

Metropolitan borough.Number of sanitary inspectors.Census, 1901.Houses let in lodgings.Duties of sanitary inspector.Assistants.Clerical staff.
Inhabited houses.Total tenements.Tenements under 5 rooms.* Overcrowded tenements-Population.Population in tenements under 5 rooms.Population in overcrowded tenements.Average per sanitary inspector.No. of houses let in lodgings on the register.No. of times a year these houses are inspected.
Males.Females.Inhabited houses.Tenements.Tenements under 5 rooms.Overcrowded tenements.PopulationPopulation in tenements under 5 rooms.Population in overcrowded tenements.
Shoreditch6–12,74327,03122,9406,269118,63789,58035,5292,1244,5053,8231,04519,73214,9305,921251If found on inspection to be kept in a satisfactory sanitary condition once a year only. If not, the houses are inspected ac often as may be necessary to secure improvement. Some houses have required frequent visits at short intervals.One is concerned with duties under the Public Health and Factory and Workshop Acts, and generally superintends and assists other inspectors. Also attends to the registration of houses let in lodgings. Each of the five other inspectors has an allotted district in which he performs the various duties arising under the Public Health and Factory and Workshop Acts, including the abatement of smoke nuisances, the supervision of drainage work, both in new and existing houses, and the testing of drains. Each inspector is required to take fcur samples per fortnight under the Food and Drugs Act, and also to take turns of duty in the street markets on Saturdays and Sundays with a view to taking samples and watching the qualities of the food stuff exposed for sale. The inspectors are not restricted to their own districts for taking samples under the Food and Drugs Act.(a) 1 general assistant. (b) 1 disinfeetor and 2 assistants. (c) 1 mortuary keeper. (d) caretaker(fe-male)of shelter.3
Southwark13320,87847,80839,6128,133206,180147,92346,0731,3052,9882,47650812.886'9,2452,8801241At least four times a year. Many month-1 y, some weekly.One chief male inspector supervises generally the work of the other male inspectors. One acts as a Food and Drugs inspector. Eleven inspectors have each an assigned district in which they are concerned with duties under the Public Health Act, and the inspection of factories and workshops. One chief inspector (female) visits workshops and does special work. Two (female) visit houses let in lodgings.(a) 11 disinfecting assistants. (b) 2 mortuary keepers, and a superintendent and his wife at reception house. The superintendent is concerned with infectious disease. (c) 1 assistant drain tester.6
Stepney18–31,46261,11349,18216,541298,600209,20099,1791,7483,3952,73291916,58911,6225,5102657Some of the best are only visited once or twice a year. Others are visited practically every month.Fifteen have each an allotted district, and are concerned with duties arising under the Public Health, Factory and Workshop and Food and Drugs Acts. These inspectors supervise the construction of drainage work in old as well as new houses as far as the front wall of the house. One inspector has also duties under the Canal Boats Act. Two are concerned with houses let in lodgings. One inspects wharves and food landed at such premises.(a) 15 disinfecting andgeneral assistants.7
Stoke Newing- ton3–7,71711,8245,81349751,24718,6112,8352,5723,9411,93816617,0826,204945259All once, some twice annual-ly.The three inspectors have each an assigned district in which they carry out general sanitary duties.(a) 1 disinfecting assistant.1
Wandsworth10*237,76449,75621,0521,525232,03476,32910,3373,1474,1461,75412719,3366,360861222Twice and more frequently if any special reason.Nine have each an assigned district in which they carry out duties under the Public Health Act, including all by-laws and repair of drains and sanitary fittings. They also take samples under the Food and Drugs Act if required. Three have small duties under the Canal Boats Act for which a separate allo wance is made. One carries out duties under the Food and Drugs Act over the whole borough, inspects meat, and performs special duties under the Public Health Act as required. Two (females) are chiefly occupied in laundries and workshops which employ female labour. They also visit houses after a notification of birth.(a) 10 disinfecting assistants. (b) 3 mortuary keepers.4
Westminster (City of)10218,36641,24426,6684,346183,01183,62423,8561,5303,4372,22236215,2516,9691,9881611578 inspections were made in 1905.Eight district inspectors. Two perform duties under the Food and Drugs Act, abatement of smoke nuisances, inspection of street markets, slaughterhouses, offensive trades, cowhouses, and inspection of food generally. Two (female) are engaged in the inspection of workshops, workplaces, etc., where female labour is employed, and also inspect houses let in lodgings.(al 10 disinfecting and other assistants. (b) 2 mortuary keepers and 1 assistant. (c) 2 women in charge of shelter and 1 cleaner.8

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* There are also five inspectors concerned with drains and sanitary fittinfs in old and new houses under the control of the Surveyors,