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
Hayes and Harlington 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hayes]
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These figures show a large and welcome increase in the
number of visits about Improvement Grants as compared with last
year and also a substantial and equally welcome decrease in the
number of visits about Certificates of Disrepair. The Smoke
Control Programme is now in full swing and accounts for the increase
in the number of visits under this heading from 2,179 to
4,042.
Complaints.
The number of complaints received was slightly more than
last year. Increases were recorded in the figures for rats and
mice, offensive accumulations and deposits, noise nuisances and
insects. The abnormally large number of wasps nests reported
was responsible for the increase in the latter.
There was a substantial reduction in the number of complaints
about insanitary and dilapidated houses and if this trend continues
it might be assumed that the Rent Act, 1957 is at last
taking effect in this direction.
Summary of Complaints.
| Choked and defective drains | 2 65 |
| Insanitary or dilapidated conditions of houses or premises | 5 104 |
| Offensive accumulations or deposits | 47 |
| Defective dustbins | 61 |
| Vermin or insects | 112 |
| Gypsies | 4 |
| Rat and mouse infestations | 319 |
| Unsound Pood | 40 |
| Nuisances from animals | 9 |
| Overcrowding | 14 |
| Dust, smoke and noise nuisances | 56 |
| Other nuisances | 57 |
| Total | 1,088 |