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
Shoreditch 1900
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
This page requires JavaScript
37
that on an average between 400 and 500 cesspools were annually abolished in Shoreditch.
Their removal must have formed a very large item in the work of the sanitary
inspectors of that time.
On 165 premises rats were complained of, or there was evidence of the existence
of these animals, and steps were taken to get rid of them. The usual steps taken are
the rectification of the house drains which are so frequently found defective in connection
with premises upon which rats are met with.
Leaking waterpipes required attention in 62 instances, and 11 insanitary cisterns
were abolished. On 10 premises horses and donkeys were found improperly stabled,
and the necessary steps were taken in connection with them. Some 60 foul
accumulations of various descriptions were removed.
The great bulk of the sanitary work carried out for the abatement of nuisances
and the improvement of the conditions under which people were found to be living
was the result of written intimations principally. Difficulties and delays with respect
to the execution of the necessary works were, however, not infrequently experienced,
and in 185 instances notices under the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, were served
upon the persons responsible for the abatement of the nuisances, by order of the
Sanitary Authority. Usually these notices were complied with, but in a certain
number of cases it was necessary to take the police court proceedings set out below.
LEGAL PEOGEEDINGS.
The premises in respect to which legal proceedings were taken, together with the results of such proceedings, are as contained in the subjoined list:—
| Premises. | Result of Proceedings. |
|---|---|
| Alma Street, Nos. 1 to 24 | Summons dismissed. |
| Allerton Street, No. 23 | Closing Order, with 4/- costs |
| Boot Street, No. 5 | Summons withdrawn, 3s. costs, paid. |
| Cotton's Gardens, No. 44 | Order for abatement of nuisance, £3 3s. costs. |
| ,, ,, ,, 33 | Summons withdrawn |
| Newton Street, No. 34 | Order for abatement of nuisance, £2 2s. costs |
| Pearson Street, London General Omnibus Stables | Order for abatement of nuisance, £3 3s. costs |
| Regent's Row, No. 23 | Order for abatement of nuisance, £1 3s. costs |
| 24 | Order for abatement of nuisance, £1 3s. costs |
| Rushton Street, No. 15 | Summons withdrawn, 3s. costs, paid. |
| Trafalgar Road, Nos. 3 and 5 | Summons withdrawn, costs paid. |
| „ No. 5 | Order for abatement of nuisance, 4s. costs. |