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
Bermondsey 1905
Report on the sanitary condition of the Borough of Bermondsey for the year 1905
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satisfactory as far as it goes, and shows that toe mere fact of a small percentage of adulteration
discovered does not necessarily mean that the articles in the district are less adulterated than
previously, but indicates that the amount of adulteration discovered depends largely on the
methods used to discover it.
I am still of opinion that one capable Inspector could administer these Acts more
uniformly, and by specialising, could adopt more efficient methods of discovering adulteration.
I purpose bringing this matter up again as soon as a favourable opportunity occurs, and after
the present system has had a fair trial.
The following table gives particulars of the genuine samples of milk taken. On the whole they are of poorer quality than those taken in the previous year, but are slightly better than the 1903 samples:— Of the samples taken in 1905— Milk fat—
| Under 3 per cent. | 9 | 1.7 per cent. of total |
| 3 per cent. and under 3.5 per cent | 216 | 42.77 „ |
| 3.5 „ 4 „ | 168 | 33.26 |
| 4 per cent. and over | 112 | 22.17 |
| 505 | 100 | |
| 1904— | ||
| Under 3 per cent. | 5 | 1.2 per cent. of total |
| 3 per cent. and under 3.5 per cent. | 147 | 35.1 |
| 3.5 „ 4 „ | 164 | 39.1 |
| 4 per cent. and over | 103 | 24.6 |
| 419 | 100.0 | |
| 1903— | ||
| Under 3 per cent. | 32 | 8.63 per cent. of total |
| 3 per cent. and under 3.5 per cent | 134 | 36.12 |
| 3.5 „ 4 „ | 135 | 36.38 |
| 4 per cent. and over | 70 | 18.87 |
| 371 | 100 | |
Smoke Nuisance.
395 observations were made, and 100 nuisances reported to the Committee.
On October 6th Messrs. Enthoven, Rotherhithe Street, were summoned for a nuisance of
10 minutes at their premises on July 3rd ; a fine of £10, and 2s. costs were inflicted.
On January 30th, 1906, the London Brighton & South Coast Railway were fined £2, and
£2 2s costs for a nuisance in connection with their locomotive No. 468, on November 16th.
On September 20th Messrs. W.P.Hartley were fined £5, and 2s. costs, for a nuisance at
their premises in Green Walk on August 15th.
Customs and Revenue Inland Act.
A certificate under section 26 of the above Act was granted to the following premises:-
Seaford Buildings, Swan Lane —40 tenements.
House Refuse. The following table shows the amount of house and trade refuse disposed of during the year ending December, 1905:—
| Loads. | Tons. | Cwt. | Quarters. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bermondsey Destructor | 9815 | 19507 | 6 | 3 |
| East Lane Wharf | 614 | 1166 | 12 | 0 |
| Bull Head Dock | 299½ | 569 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 10728½ | 21242 | 19 | 3 |
Cleansing of Persons Act, 1897.
On March 28th, 1905, the following report was submitted to the Public Health
Committee:-
This is a short Act which gives the local authority discretionary power to permit
any person who shall apply to the said authority, on the ground that he is infested
with vermin, to have the use, free of charge, of the apparatus (if any) which the
authority possess for cleansing the person and his clothing from vermin." This is not
to be considered parochial relief with its disabilities. "Local authorities may expend
any reasonable sum on buildings, appliances, and attendants that may be required,"
and "any expenses for these purposes may be defrayed out of any rate or fund
applicable by the authority for general sanitary purposes or for the relief of the poor."
Nothing has been done in Bermondsey towards administration of this Act. The
Guardians, to whom the matter was referred in 1897, decided to take no action.
I have made inquiries in St. Marylebone, St. Pancras, Woolwich, and Westminster,
which seem to be the only Boroughs which have taken steps in the matter, and
received the following information in reply:-