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
Merton and Morden 1943
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]
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Milk Fat (Legal Standard is 3.0%).
| 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 39 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.2 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 33 |
Scheme—Gas Contaminated Foodstuffs. In accordance
with the Ministry of Food's Circular MFG. 4, arrangements
were made early in 1941 to recruit and train about forty
part-time volunteers from the food traders.
During the year 1943 the total personnel strength was
increased to sixty and further practical demonstrations and
routine exercises were carried out.
The Deputy Chief Sanitary Inspector is designated as
Food Decontamination Officer and under the general direction
of the Medical Officer of Health is primarily responsible for
the operation of the Service.
Factories. The number of inspections made to premises
registered under the Factories Act—391. Defects relating to
sanitary conveniences, ventilation and other sanitary matters
were dealt with at 28 premises.
Water Supply. Six samples of water taken from domestic
taps were taken and submitted for chemical or bacteriological
examinations. The report on each sample was satisfactory.
Watercourses. A number of inspections were made of the
watercourses in the district for the purpose of detecting
pollutions, and samples were obtained and sent for chemical
analysis. In three instances pollutions were discovered, and
the necessary steps were taken to remedy these conditions.
Mosquitoes. A number of complaints were received from
residents and paraffin spraying of ditches and stagnant ponds
was carried out.
Rats and Mice Destruction Act, 1919. This Act has been
administered by this Conncil by delegation of powers from the
Surrey County Council since the commencement of the Act,
and the Officers charged with the administration can safely
claim to have met with some success.
During the year the Ministry of Food, viewing with alarm
the destruction of foodstuffs by rats in some parts of the
country, introduced what is known as the Infestation Order
1943, the provisions of which gave every Local Authority
power, and in some cases ordered them, to make survey of
properties and land within their area, and to take the necessary
steps to secure the destruction of as many rodents as possible.
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