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
Islington 1905
Fiftieth annual report on the health and sanitary condition of the Metropolitan Borough of Islington
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187
[1905
When one looks back to 1896 when through the advocacy of the Medical
Officer of Health the late Vestry appointed Workshops Inspectors, and
recollects the state of affairs that were then found in many of the workshops,
and contrasts their then with their present condition, a very marked change for
the better is perceivable. The systematic and persistent manner in which the
Inspectors of the Council have performed their work has resulted in a very
great amelioration of the sanitary conditions under which the work-people
employed in the Borough pursue their labours.
It will be interesting to note that since they were appointed they have made 72,937 inspections and visits.
| 1896 | 5,996 inspections and visits |
| 1897 | 6,761 ,, ,, |
| 1898 | 6,882 ,, ,, |
| 1899 | 7,233 ,, ,, |
| 1900 | |
| 1901 | 7.371 ,, ,, |
| 1902 | 8,060 ,, ,, |
| 1903 | 7,846 ,, ,, |
| 1904 | 7,463 ,, ,, |
| 1905 | 7.914 ,, ,, |
| Total | 72,937 |
| Yearly average | 7,293 |
The fact may be pointed out that among the useful work effected by
these inspections overcrowding was abated in 137 instances; ventilation was
provided in 69; 2,845 rooms were cleansed; 2,267 defective drains were
remedied; 2,858 w.c.'s were dealt with; 400 water supplies were provided;
614 surface drains were marie good, and 4,526 workshops and workplaces were
cleansed. This statement, however, comprises only the larger defects, for in
addition to them very many minor evils were put right.
During the year Miss Brown visited 884 registered workshops and
laundries, 661 homes of outworkers, 39 restaurant kitchens and 35 miscellaneous
premises, while Mr. West paid 400 visits to tailors' workshops, 456 to shoemaker's
shops, 128 to premises where pianos are made, 41 to cycle factories,
707 to bakehouses, 467 to restaurants and 1,992 miscellaneous places of business.