London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Edmonton 1943
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Edmonton]
This page requires JavaScript
DISINFECTION AND DISINFESTATION.
The following table gives some idea of the work carried out:-
| Number of journeys to collect bedding | 297 |
| Number of journeys to return bedding | 291 |
| Rooms disinfected after infectious disease | 978 |
| Rooms disinfected after phthisis | 173 |
| Disinfestation carried out after vermin | 231 |
| Bedding,clothing,etc.disinfected after infectious disease | 4,914 art. |
| Bedding,clothing,etc.disinfected after phthisis | 9956 " |
| Bedding,clothing,etc.disinfected after other cases | 1,511 " |
The Council distribute a disinfecting powder and fluid to residents
who apply for same at the Town Hall Yard. During the year, the applicants
numbered 12,195. One hour daily is allowed for such distribution
with the exception of Fridays and Saturdays. A Formalin Chamber is used
for the disinfection of books, leather goods,etc., articles that would
be damaged by steam. The number of books and other articles thus
disinfected was 432.
Four Council houses and 99 other houses were found to be infested
and the total number of rooms disinfested was 231. The whole of the
work is carried out by the Department, the materials used being Block
Disinfestaters combined with the use of Insecticides.
PETROLEUM (REGULATIONS) ACTS. 1928 & 1936.
During the year 6 new licences and 97 renewals were granted by the
Council. The following is a list of particulars of quantities ,etc.,
affected by these licences
Petroleum spirit - gallons
Petroleum mixtures - "
Carbide of calcium - tons
MORTUARY.
During the year 79 bodies were deposited in the Mortuary, 75 by
order of the Coroner and 4 for sanitary reasons.
INSPECTIONS.
The following tabular statement gives the number and nature of the inspections made during the year:-
| Complaints | 1994 |
| Infectious disease | 769 |
| Tuberculosis | — |
| Factories with mechanical power | 167 |
| Factories without mechanical power | 16 |
| Other premises under the Factories Act | — |
| Outworkers | 8 |
| Schools | 2 |
| Offensive trades | 3 |
| Shops and Stalls | 210 |
| Shops Act (Primary) | 20 |
| Shops Act (Re-inspections) | - |
| Sanitary conveniences and urinals | 228 |
| Smoke observations | 1 |
| Stables | 22 |
| Piggeries | 62 |
| Petroleum | 27 |
| General inspections | 354 |
| Sundry Visits | 1788 |
| Cinemas and Halls | 2 |
| Visits to canal | 5 |
| A.R.P.Shelters | 20 |
| Re-inspections | 4804- |