View report page

7
SANITARY WORK
Sanitary Inspectors (Male).—The last monthly report of the Medical Officer of Health
for the year 1917 set forth in tabular form the principal items of the work of the male sanitary
inspectors during the year. The same return in greater detail, showing the number of inspections
made, the sanitary notices issued and the sanitary works completed, is available for reference in
registers kept for the purpose in the Public Health Department.
Lady Sanitary Inpector.—A summary of the monthly reports shows that the Lady
Sanitary Inspector who worked single handed during the year (Miss de Chaumont up to the end of
July, when she rejoined the Nursing Service, and Miss Bennett since her appointment in the
middle of September) paid in all 2,204 visits—512 to factories and workshops, 608 to cases of
tuberculosis, 931 to cases of measles and whooping cough, and 153 for other purposes.
Disinfection.—The disinfecting staff disinfected 1,297 rooms in 1,011 tenements or dwelling
houses. The bedding from 744 households was disinfected by steam or by washing and boiling at
the disinfecting station at Wood Lane. The number and weight of the articles dealt with was as
follows:—
Articles disinfected only 8,217
Articles disinfected and washed 887
Total number of articles 9,104
Total weight of articles 28 tons 5 cwt.

Verminous Rooms.—296 verminous rooms were cleansed in response to notices, 2 verminous
beds were destroyed and 62 dirty beds were cleansed. In addition 128 beds were disinfected by
steam at Wood Lane and 96 verminous rooms were fumigated by the Council's disinfecting staff.
Rag Flock.—Two samples of rag flock were taken from makers of bedding and submitted for
analysis. Both samples complied with the standard of cleanliness laid down by the regulations.
Mortuary.—During the year 257 bodies were deposited at the Mortuary. In 131 cases
post-mortem examinations were made and 203 bodies were deposited for the holding of inquests at
the instance of the coroner. 22 bodies were deposited in the Chapel of Rest.
THE FLOODING OF BASEMENTS IN JUNE.
On the 16th June a very severe thunderstorm, in which over 4½ inches of rain fell, caused a
flooding of basements of unexamp ed severity over a much larger area than in any previous record.
The flood area was in the Notting Dale district and involved some of the poorest parts of the
Borough. In previous floods the basements were invaded with storm waters from the main sewers,
the inundations being measured in inches, but in the storm of June, 1917, the flood level was
measured by feet, up to 5 feet or more above the floors of the lowest storeys.
The water rose so rapidly that in most cases there was little or no time available tor rescuing
furniture and bedding and carrying them to a place of safety.
The majority of the families flooded out were able to find temporary accommodation on the
upper floors of the houses they occupied or in neighbouring dwellings, but in some instances the
families had nowhere where they could go, and had to stay in their flooded-out homes.
Fortunately, so far as can be ascertained, little or no injury to health resulted in the flooded
areas. This appears to have been mainly attributable to three circumstances, (1) that the storm
water quickly subsided, (2) that the water was practically rain water, with only a slight sewage
taint, and (3) that the possible injury to health that might be caused by damp surroundings was
counteracted by the very high temperature of the air then prevailing.
To the poorest class of tenant the most severe loss was that of their bedding. A committee
was formed by the Mayor to administer a privately collected fund for the relief of distress, and a
large part of the money collected was spent in the provision of new bedding for the poorer class
of sufferers.
These periodical floodings of the low-lying areas of Kensington will continue to recur until
further steps are taken by the London County Council to afford relief for the main sewers of this
district, the existing measures of relief so far undertaken being clearly inadequate. The rainfall of
the 16th June was, however, of a very exceptional character, and is not likely to recur for many
years to come.