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
City of London 1906
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]
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77
Part II.
Sanitary Works and alterations, not yet reported as completed :—
| Bate Plan submitted. | Works. |
|---|---|
| 1906. | |
| May 31 | Proposed removal of urinal from inside to outside of Customs' Clerical Office, Rum Quay, West India Dock, and the construction of a 4-inch drain in connection with same. |
| Sept. 18 | Construction of drains in Tilbury Dock. |
INSANITARY BARGES.
In the following Table a list is given of the barges which have been found
during the year carrying, or engaged in the carrying of cargoes of offensive
matter, and on which there has been a nuisance due to the defective structure
of the vessel.
A good deal has been done by the Port Sanitary Authority in the direction
of bringing the owners of barges to some recognition of their duty in this
respect, but it still occasionally happens that the condition of things found
in the cabins of barges carrying cargoes of the nature referred to is
indescribably filthy.
The following are two recent cases which are typical of a large number:—
The barge "Scarboro'," which was inspected on the 2nd October last, had
been carrying a cargo of dung.
This cargo was only separated from the living quarters by a bulkhead of
single planks, this bulkhead extending only to the lining of the vessel,
leaving, therefore, a clear space between the lining and the skin at the sides
and bottom, through which foul emanations and liquid would gain access to
the living quarters in the cabin.
The cabin floor was fixed, that is, nailed down, and could not be lifted so
that any filthy accumulation underneath might be removed, and the bed
lodgings were found to be the home of a quantity of maggots.