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 1909
Annual report of Medical Officer of Health for 1909
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Defects remedied.
| Walls, ceilings, and approaches cleansed | 576 | |
| Ventilation improved | - | 39 |
| Overcrowding abated | - | 8 |
| Drains relaid or amended | - | 30 |
| Soil pipes repaired or renewed | - | 16 |
| Urinals repaired or renewed | 17 | |
| „ flush improved | 4 | |
| „ cleansed | 20 | |
| - | 41 | |
| Sink wastes amended | - | 54 |
| Rain-water pipes repaired | - | 8 |
| Cisterns cleansed or covered | - | 38 |
| Refuse receptacles provided | 20 | |
| Water-closets— | ||
| Separate and suitable provided | 22 | |
| Additional provided | 3 | |
| Lobbies constructed | 64 | |
| Ventilated | 76 | |
| Floors made impervious | 11 | |
| Pans cleansed | 474 | |
| Walls and ceilings cleansed | 253 | |
| Flush improved | 83 | |
| - | 986 | |
| General defects remedied | - | 464 |
| Total defects remedied | - | 2,280 |
WORKPLACES
(Kitchens of Restaurants, &c).
It would be a great public advantage if all Kitchens were required to be
registered under definite conditions before being occupied, at present there is
nothing to prevent businesses being run under all sorts of improper
conditions, which can only be dealt with as ordinary nuisances.
The principal defect found is want of cleanliness, and although as a
whole, Kitchens show an improvement as regards their- general condition
as compared with earlier times, whitewashing and limewashing are still
insufficiently practiced. This is put off until the Inspector comes round
instead of being regularly done, say once in six months.
The provision of water-closet accommodation for both sexes is another
serious difficulty, especially so when small numbers of workers are employed.