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
Willesden 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
This page requires JavaScript
Summary of Nuisances, and of Improvements Effected Water Supply and Water Service
| Inclusive of Housing Survey | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1953 | 1952 | |
| New cisterns provided | 29 | 38 |
| Cisterns cleansed, repaired, covered, etc | 69 | 98 |
| Draw taps placed on mains | 6 | 8 |
Drainage and Sewerage
| Water Closets : | ||
| Repaired, supplied with water or otherwise improved | 550 | 508 |
| New closets built | 6 | 6 |
| Provided with better ventilation | 11 | 3 |
| Drains : | ||
| Examined, tested, exposed, etc | 240 | 276 |
| Unstopped, repaired, trapped, etc. | 341 | 395 |
| New soilpipes or vent shafts fixed | 42 | 48 |
| Disconnecting traps or chambers inserted | 24 | 14 |
| Reconstructed | 21 | 21 |
| New manhole covers | 79 | 55 |
| Soilpipes or vent shafts repaired | 185 | 168 |
Other Defects
| Smoke nuisances | 5 | 7 |
| Accumulation of refuse | 98 | 83 |
| Foul ditches, ponds, etc., and stagnant water | — | — |
| Fowls, pigs, etc., kept in an insanitary condition | 22 | 16 |
| Dampness | 1388 | 1204 |
| Yard and Forecourts paved, repaved or repaired | 370 | 219 |
| Walls and ceilings cleansed | 3382 | 3205 |
| Verminous rooms disinfested | 362 | 492 |
| Leaky roof made watertight | 1490 | 1311 |
| Additional ventilation provided under floors | 122 | 141 |
| Dilapidated plaster repaired | 2998 | 2629 |
| Flooring and other woodwork repaired | 1475 | 1212 |
| Damp proof courses inserted | 56 | 84 |
| Water supply reinstated | 37 | 37 |
| Wash-house floors repaired or repaved | 25 | 32 |
| Fireplaces and stoves repaired | 1170 | 869 |
| Decayed brickwork repaired and repointed | 929 | 714 |
| Sinks provided or replaced | 251 | 163 |
| Additional light and ventilation to staircase | 11 | 3 |
| Larders or food cupboards ventilated or provided | 69 | 30 |
| Gutters and/or rainwater pipes repaired or renewed | 1202 | 979 |
| New sashcords and glass provided to doors and windows | 3184 | 2460 |
| Miscellaneous | 851 | 703 |
| Total nuisances abated | 21100 | 18231 |
Inspections of Other Premises
| 1953 | 1952 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. inspected | Inspections made | No. inspected | Inspections made | |
| Slaughterhouses (1 registered but not in use) | - | - | - | - |
| Common lodging houses | - | - | - | - |
| Offensive trades | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| Power factories | 602 | 697 | 647 | 766 |
| Non-power factories | 71 | 95 | 78 | 107 |
| Workplaces——other than outworkers | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 |
| Homeworkers and outworkers | 245 | 245 | 316 | 318 |
| Inspection of food premises (includes re-visits) Baker | 38 | 184 | 38 | 132 |
| Bread and confectionery | 38 | 107 | 38 | 185 |
| Dairy | 10 | 64 | 10 | 94 |
| Butcher | 115 | 364 | 114 | 532 |
| Grocer and general store | 315 | 826 | 315 | 924 |
| Fishmonger and fish-fryer | 60 | 197 | 61 | 209 |
| Cafe and restaurant | 151 | 511 | 150 | 602 |
| Greengrocer and fruiterer | 125 | 366 | 126 | 461 |
| Ice cream and sweet shop | 180 | 375 | 181 | 643 |
| Food stall | 19 | 17 | 19 | 48 |