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
Finsbury 1903
Report on the public health of 1903
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56
demonstrate none the less the urgent necessity of disinfection,
education of the patient, and, if the means were available, of
an efficient and extensive scheme of sanatorium training to
this end.
The following table shows the number of cases from houses with sanitary defects:—
| Sanitary state of house. | Notifications. | Deaths. | Totals. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dirty throughout | 15 | 14 | 29 |
| Overcrowded | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Damp interiors | 11 | 6 | 17 |
| Deficient ventilation | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Deficient light | 12 | 15 | 27 |
| Defective drains | 19 | 14 | 33 |
| Combinations of above conditions | 19 | 11 | 30 |
| Total houses with sanitary defects | 78 | 61 | 139 |
| No sanitary defects | 105 | 86 | 191 |
| No report | 36 | 33 | 69 |
| Deaths previously notified | — | 58 | 58 |
| Totals | 219 | 238 | 457 |
Thus only 30 per cent. of the cases came from houses showing
marked defects, from which it may fairly be inferred that
exposure to infection, even under satisfactory conditions as to
light, ventilation, &c., may be attended with considerable risk.
It should be added that during 1903, the London County
Council made the following Bye-law. "No person shall spit on
"the floor, side, or wall of any public carriage, or of any public
"hall, public waiting room, or place of public entertainment,
" whether admission thereto be obtained upon payment or not.
"Any person who shall offend against this Bye-law shall be
" liable for each offence to a fine not exceeding forty shillings."