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
Bethnal Green 1926
Report on the health of the Borough of Bethnal Green during the year 1926
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75
The increase in the inspectorial staff is reflected in
the substantial increase in the number of inspections
made during the year. Mr. Billings' allocation for
house to house inspection has resulted in 1014 houses
being dealt with in this way, as compared with 440
in the previous year.
There have also been large increases in the
numbers of inspections of milkshops and other food
premises, factories, workshops and outworkers' homes.
One of the practical results of the increased sanitary
inspection of the district, particularly from house to
house, is shown in the following table:
SANITARY DEFECTS DISCOVERED DURING 1926.
| Period | Dirty Rooms | Defective Drains | Defective and Dirty W.C.'s. | Defective Water Supply | Other Matters | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 wks. ending 30th Jan. | 592 | 54 | 188 | 140 | 1522 | 2496 |
| 4 „ „ 27th Feb. | 643 | 45 | 228 | 89 | 1452 | 2457 |
| 5 „ „ 3rd Apl. | 1172 | 84 | 390 | 78 | 1587 | 3311 |
| 4 „ „ 1st May | 890 | 56 | 297 | 83 | 1390 | 2716 |
| 4 „ „ 29th May | 613 | 48 | 243 | 58 | 1268 | 2230 |
| 5 „ „ 3rd July | 787 | 66 | 325 | 51 | 1553 | 2782 |
| 4 „ „ 31st July | 568 | 8 | 209 | 64 | 1663 | 2512 |
| 4 „ ,, 28th Aug. | 492 | 6 | 187 | 57 | 1743 | 2486 |
| 5 ,, „ 2nd Oct. | 937 | 59 | 338 | 57 | 2230 | 3621 |
| 4 „ „ 30th Oct. | 532 | 50 | 253 | 40 | 1519 | 2394 |
| 4 „ „ 27th Nov. | 633 | 60 | 275 | 58 | 2187 | 3213 |
| 5 „ „ 1st Jan. | 468 | 52 | 246 | 49 | 1742 | 2557 |
| Totals | 8327 | 588 | 3179 | 824 | 19856 | 32774 |
The number of dirty rooms discovered (and of
course subsequently dealt with) has increased from 5947
in 1925 to 8327 last year. The increased outdoor
sanitary work is reflected in the greater volume of
associated clerical work which has also been recorded.
During the year 6,712 Preliminary Notices were
served requiring the remedying of Nuisances. 5,323
Statutory Notices were served. Formal letters giving