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
Tottenham 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Tottenham]
This page requires JavaScript
Legal proceedings were taken in seven cases where owners or occupiers failed to comply with abatement notices, with the following results, namely:—
| Case No. | Period allowed in Abatement Order. | Fine. | Costs. | Remarks. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| s. | d. | |||||
| 1 | 28 days | — | — | |||
| 2 | 28 days | — | 2 | 9 | 6 | — |
| 3 | 21 days | — | 2 | 9 | 6 | — |
| 4 | 21 days | — | 2 | 2 | 0 | — |
| o | 7 days | £2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | Later remanded in custody for non-payment of penalty and costs. After medical examination an Order was made under the Lunacy Acts. |
| 6 | 21 days | Steps to be taken to prevent recurrence of nuisance. | ||||
| 7 | 7 days | £2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Committed to prison for 14 days for non-payment of fine and costs. |
Housing Lettings.
The department continues to get many enquiries from applicants
regarding Corporation houses and regarding applications made to
other authorities, particularly the London County Council.
Overcrowding, within the meaning of Part IV of the Housing
Act, 1936, is certified by the department, and such certifications are
accepted by other authorities.
General housing conditions are investigated, and where it is
justifiable representations are made on behalf of the applicant.
Housing needs on medical and psychological grounds must be
taken into account equally with physical overcrowding; and the
Medical Officer of Health is in the best position to advise the committee.
During the year under review the Health Department conducted
a special investigation of housing cases in which applicants claimed
that rehousing should be effected on medical grounds.
This investigation resulted from the increasing number of such
claims being made to the Health Department by letter, 'phone and
personal callers. District sanitary inspectors and health visitors
had also reported an increasing number of cases in which despite all