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
Edmonton 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Edmonton]
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The following table gives some idea of the work carried out:—
| Number of journeys to collect bedding | 254 |
| „ „ „ „ return bedding | 228 |
| Rooms disinfected after infectious disease | 397 |
| „ „ „ phthisis | 56 |
| „ „ „ other cases | 65 |
| Disinfestation carried out after vermin | 302 |
| Bedding, clothing, etc., disinfected after infectious disease | 1,942 articles |
| Bedding, clothing, etc., disinfected after phthisis | 512 „ |
| „ „ „ „ „ other cases | 897 „ |
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 6,301. 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 398.
Seven Council propei ties and 58 other houses were found to be infested,
the total number of rooms disinfested was 232. The whole of the work is
carried out by the Department, the materials used being Insecticides containing
D.D.T. as a base.
Petroleum (Regulations) Acts, 1928 and 1936.
During the year seven new licences and 104 renewals were granted by the
Council. The following is a list of particulars of quantities, etc., affected by
these licences:—
Petroleum spirit 580,519 gallons.
Petroleum mixtures (cellulose) 7,668 „
Carbide of calcium 17 cwts. 2 qrs. 22 lbs
Rubber Solution 100 lbs.
Mortuary.
During the year 73 bodies were deposited in the Mortuary, 71 by order
of the Coroner and 2 for sanitary reasons.
The following tabular statement gives the number and nature of the inspections made during the year:—
| Complaints | 2,998 |
| Infectious disease | 308 |
| Tuberculosis | 38 |
| House-to-House | 362 |
| Factories with mechanical power | 207 |
| Factories without mechanical power | 8 |
| Outworkers | 141 |
| Schools | 3 |
| Shops and Stalls | 115 |
| Shops Act (Primary) | 7 |