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
Coulsdon and Purley 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Coulsdon]
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Notices Served.
| Preliminary notices | 707 |
| Statutory notices | 72 |
| Defects Remedied. | |
| Cesspools requiring to be emptied | 6 |
| Unclean walls and ceilings | 42 |
| Choked drains | 129 |
| Defective drains, inspection chambers and covers | 89 |
| Defective fresh air inlets | 12 |
| Defective plaster | 52 |
| Defective firegrates | 34 |
| Defective floors | 15 |
| Defective woodwork | 33 |
| Defective paintwork | 1 |
| Defective paving | 6 |
| Defective dustbin | 83 |
| Defective waste pipes | 20 |
| Defective kerbs around gullies | 12 |
| Defective water closet fittings | 32 |
| Defective water closet pedestals | 40 |
| Defective eaves guttering and rain water pipes | 31 |
| Broken sashcords | 6 |
| Dampness through roofs | 71 |
| Dampness through other causes | 41 |
| Animals so kept as to be a nuisance | 15 |
| Offensive accumulations | 17 |
| Verminous premises | 8 |
| Lack of domestic cleanliness | 5 |
| Burst water pipes | 41 |
| Brickwork and pointing | 26 |
| Absence of water supply | 6 |
| Insufficient ventilation beneath floors | 4 |
| Glazing | 8 |
| Unclean bakehouse walls | 1 |
| Overcrowding | 13 |
| Miscellaneous | 2 |
| Total | 901 |
ERADICATION OF BED BUGS.
The method used for the eradication of bed bugs, which has proved
successful in the past, has not been varied and the work is still carried
out by the Local Authority.
During the year 4 houses were disinfested, of which 3 were properties
requisitioned by the Council. Fumigation was carried out by sulphur
candles and spraying by "Vermicine" Insecticide.
If it is considered desirable the homes of applicants for Council houses
are inspected with a view to obtaining some knowledge of their suitability
as tenants and if the houses and furniture are found to be infested steps
are taken, as indicated above, before entry is permitted.
It was not found necessary to disinfest any bedding by steam during
1946.
46