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
Enfield 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Enfield]
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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Burial and Cremation
Section 50, National
Assistance Act 1948
This authority has a duty to bury or cremate the body of any person who
has died or been found dead in the borough in circumstances where it
appears to the Council that no other suitable arrangements for the disposal
of the body can be made. The bodies of five persons were dealt with in
this way.
Exhumations
Burial Act 1857
It is considered advisable that the Medical Officer of Health should be
informed whenever a licence for the removal of human remains is granted
so that he may be in a position to take any action that may appear to be
necessary in the interests of public health.
Two exhumations took place at cemeteries within the borough. A public
health inspector was present to ensure that the conditions of the Home
Office Exhumation Certificate were observed.
Mortuary
Section 198,
Public Health Act 1936
A local authority may provide a mortuary and a postmortem room. The
Council provides a service through arrangement with the Hospital Management
Committee for the use of the facilities at the Prince of Wales Hospital,
Tottenham, at an agreed charge. The mortuary facilities were used on 701
occasions.
Table 29 Water Supply Metropolitan Water Board Chemical and Mineral Analysis
| Average Results in milligrams per litre where applicable | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thames Derived | New River Derived | Hoe Lane Well Derived | Hadley Road Well Derived | Waltham Abbey Well Derived | |
| Number of Samples | 363 | 104 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Ammoniacal Nitrogen | 0.026 | 0.008 | 0.100 | 0.170 | 0.20 |
| Albuminoid Nitrogen | 0.083 | 0 061 | 0.026 | 0.015 | 0.034 |
| Nitrate Nitrogen | 4.8 | 5.2 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.5 |
| Oxygen abs. from KMnO4, 4 hrs. at 27°C. | 1.02 | 0.61 | 0.29 | 0.19 | 0.38 |
| Hardness (total) CaC03 | 274 | 304 | 398 | 272 | 276 |
| Hardness (Non-carbonate) CaC03 | 79 | 79 | 154 | 40 | 59 |
| Magnesium as Mg. | 5 | 5 | — | — | — |
| Sodium as Na | 27.7 | 30.9 | — | — | — |
| Potassium as K | 5.6 | 4.9 | — | — | — |
| Chloride as CI | 40 | 45 | 38 | 24 | 28 |
| Phosphate as PC4 | 2.7 | 1.9 | — | — | — |
| Silicate as SiO2 | 9 | 10 | — | — | _ |
| Sulphate as SO4 | 70 | 71 | — | — | — |
| Natural Fluoride as F | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.55 | 1.10 | 0.70 |
| Surface-active material as Manoxol OT | 0.03 | 0.02 | — | — | — |
| Turbidity units | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.3 |
| Colour (Burgess units) | 11 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| pH Value | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Electrical Conductivity (Micromhos) | 570 | 620 | 700 | 550 | 540 |