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
Shoreditch 1895
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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In addition to those disinfected it was necessary to destroy 18 beds, 32
mattresses, 13 pillows, 5 bolsters and 4 sofa squabs, which were replaced with new
ones by the Vestry. No injury was done to any of the articles passed through the
disinfecting apparatus, and no instance of damage due to the fumigation and disinfection
of any of the 828 premises dealt with was brought to my notice.
During the year the disinfecting apparatus was overhauled, inspected and tested
by Messrs. Manlove, Alliott & Co. of Nottingham, whose report was satisfactory, and
the boiler was insured with the National Boiler and General Insurance Company.
Certain minor defects in connection with the disinfecting chamber were remedied,
and new rubbers were obtained for the doors.
THE SHELTER.
The temporary accommodation provided by the Vestry for persons obliged to
vacate their dwellings to allow of efficient measures as to disinfection being taken
was used during the year on six occasions. The particulars are set forth in the
following table:—
TABLE XXIII.
| No. of Case. | Date of Admittanee. | Length of Stay. | Number and Desoriptionof Persons. | Address. | Disease. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 1 | 2 hours | 1 | Woman | St. John's Road | Cholera |
| 2 | Sept. 4 | 1 night | 7 | Family | Rivington Street | Small Pox |
| 3 | „ 16 | 2 nights | 6 | „ | „ „ | „ |
| 4 | „ 17 | 1 night | 5 | „ | Derby Houses | „ |
| 5 | Nov. 27 | 1 „ | 3 | „ | Mount Pleasant | Scarlet Fever |
| 6 | Dec. 8 | 1 „ | 8 | Aske Street | „ | |
The shelter has sufficient accommodation for two families at one time, and is
under the charge of a female caretaker who resides on the premises.
DISINFECTANTS.
From the 1st of June to 31st October, packets of disinfecting powder were
given away on application to the clerk of the Public Health Department. Altogether
2,744 ½-lb. packets, or 12¼ cwts. of "Sanitas" disinfecting powder were distributed
to 2,684 applicants. Enquiry was made in each case as to the use for which the
powder was intended, and insanitary conditions thus came under the notice of the
department. The cost of the "Sanitas" powder distributed was £7 12s., nearly
as possible equal to the cost of that distributed in 1894.
In addition to the general distribution of powder, two-thirds of a 26-gallon cask
of carbolic acid was used, at a cost of £3 18s. This last has been used in connection
with special cases of infectious disease, for flushing house drains, cleansing floors and
woodwork of dwelling rooms, at the public mortuary, for dealing with unsound food
which has been condemned, and for other special purposes.