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 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Coulsdon]
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During 1959 the following disinfections were carried out:—
| Free of cost | Upon Payment | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loads of bedding, etc. | 12 | — | 12 |
| Houses disinfected | 15 | — | 15 |
| Parcels of clothing | — | 3 | 3 |
| Library books | 463 | — | 463 |
COMPLAINTS RECEIVED
| General disrepair and insanitary conditions | 30 |
| Dampness | 15 |
| Defective drainage systems | 19 |
| Blocked drainage systems | 223 |
| Defective drainage fittings | 11 |
| Defective W.C. pans and flushing apparatus | 4 |
| Defective service water pipes | 2 |
| Absence of, or defective dustbins | 1 |
| Accumulation of refuse, etc. | 20 |
| Rats and mice | 342 |
| Keeping of animals | 1 |
| Insect pests, etc. | 76 |
| Wasps nests | 260 |
| Smoke nuisance | 16 |
| Contaminated food | 33 |
| Unsound food | 28 |
| Insanitary pig waste bins | 1 |
| Miscellaneous | 79 |
| Total | 1,161 |
VISITS CARRIED OUT AND INTERVIEWS
| Number of houses visited in respect of improvement and repair | 344 |
| Number of reinspections made to above houses in respect of improvement and repair | 2,856 |
| Verminous premises | 7 |
| Insect pests | 440 |
| Water supply | 32 |
| Tents, vans and sheds | 42 |