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
Camberwell 1951
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Camberwell.
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17
Sanitary Inspection of the Area.
Owing to the continued difficulty in securing the services
of Sanitary Inspectors, the number employed fell short of the
authorised establishment during the latter six months of the
year.
The establishment of Sanitary Inspectors in 1951 is compared with that for 1922 in the following table:—
| 1922 | 1951 | |
|---|---|---|
| District Sanitary Inspectors | 11 | 13* |
| Women Sanitary Inspectors | 2 | – |
| Sampling Officer—Foods & Drugs Act, etc. | 1 | 1 |
| Food Inspector | – | 1 |
| Housing Inspector | — | 2* |
| Rodent Officer | – | 1 |
* One vacancy at 31.12.1952.
The number of complaints received in 1922 was 3,843,
whereas in 1951 they numbered 6,409. It is true that house
property has suffered as the result of air raids and lack of
adequate maintenance during the war but this does not entirely
account for the increase in the number of complaints. There is
an increasing tendency for the public to appeal to the local
sanitary authority to assist in securing the abatement of
nuisances by the use of their statutory powers often without
having first approached the landlord.
The following tables indicate the nature and extent of the
work of the inspectorial staff during 1951: —
SUMMARY OF WORK CARRIED OUT DURING THE YEAR 1951. Inspections:—
| Nuisance inspections | 6,693 |
| Offensive trades | 3 |
| Smoke observations | 49 |
| Drainage, new and existing | 5,031 |
| Overcrowding | 1,244 |
| Factories and workplaces | 569 |
| Outworkers' premises | 225 |
| Rag and bone dealers | 3 |
| Infectious and other diseases | 928 |
| Verminous premises and persons | 232 |
| Aged and infirm persons | 597 |
| Common lodging houses | 52 |
| Conveniences, public and private | 101 |
| Rent (Restrictions) Act | 67 |
| Shops Act | 876 |
| Voluntary work | 1,768 |
| Inspections not defined | 1,338 |
| Re-inspections | 21,864 |
| Total inspections | 41,640 |
| Works supervised:— | |
| Tests applied to drains (existing premises) | 569 |
| Drains found defective | 144 |
| Drains totally reconstructed | 83 |
| Drains repaired or partially reconstructed | 261 |
| Tests applied to drains (new buildings) | 3,205 |
| Drains constructed | 925 |
| Additional water supply provided | 15 |
| Description of Sanitary Imvrovements ordered during the Year:— | |
| Cleanse and repair walls and ceilings | 1,988 |
| Repair roofs, gutterings, etc | 1,914 |
| Abate dampness | 2,311 |
| Repair stoves, fireplaces and coppers | 615 |
| Repair windows, sashlines, sills, etc. | 889 |
| Repair flooring, stairs, doors, etc. | 816 |
| Provide sufficient light and ventilation | 33 |
| Provide dustbin | 74 |
| Remove offensive matter | 21 |
| Provide or repair yard paving | 94 |
| Provide or render accessible water supply | 22 |
| Repair water pipes and fittings | 150 |
| Clear premises of vermin | 28 |
| Cleanse or repair water closets and flushing apparatus | 476 |
| Repair or clear defective or obstructed drains | 185 |
| Repair soil pipes, waste pipes, sinks, etc. | 303 |
| Abate nuisances caused by animals improperly kept | 4 |
| Miscellaneous | 124 |
| Total repairs and improvements ordered | 10,047 |