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
Kensington 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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The samples were collected in sterile screw-capped bottles which were filled by a swimmer at
varying positions in the bath—near the inlet, outlet and centre, and at different depths. The
bottles were then taken immediately for culture of the contents to the council's laboratory at the
Princess Louise hospital.
Results.—Of the 58 samples taken during the year, 13 were sterile, and 27 shewed a total cellcount
of under 10 organisms per c.c. of water. In 11 samples the total cell count was between 10
and 100, and in five between 100 and 200. The remaining two samples shewing counts of 320 and
480 organisms per c.c. were taken during a spell of cold weather when the water temperature had
been raised, proving the necessity for raising the chlorine content above the usual level under those
conditions.
B. coli were absent from all samples. Streptococci were present on only two occasions (in
July and August), and were associated with a low total count of under 30 organisms per c.c.
Summary.—During 1938 a total of 106,959 swimmers used the baths. On 11 occasions the
water was subjected to bacteriological examination, a total of 58 samples being taken. These
examinations shewed the water to be satisfactory, although on one occasion when the water temperature
had been raised the cell-count was higher than normal.
Baths and Washhouses.
There are 13 men's and seven women's first-class slipper baths, 34 men's and 20 women's secondclass
slipper baths, and six special warm baths.
During 1938 the total number of persons using the slipper baths was 74,298.
The total number of bathers using the swimming baths and slipper baths in the last five years is shewn in the following table :—
| Year. | Bathers. |
|---|---|
| 1934 | 248,606 |
| 1935 | 218,449 |
| 1936 | 207,863 |
| 1937 | 210,535 |
| 1938 | 181,257 |
In the washhouses or laundry department there were 88 washtubs in use in 1938. The number of women using the washtubs in the last five years is as follows :—
| Year. | Washers. |
|---|---|
| 1934 | 79,686 |
| 1935 | 73,843 |
| 1936 | 65,537 |
| 1937 | 59,094 |
| 1938 | 56,877 |
There are eight washing machines, and the number of women who used these during the year
was 15,241.
| At the request of relations or friends of the deceased | 9 |
| At the request of undertakers | 21 |
| At the request of coroner | 107 |
| By the police | 6 |
| Total | 143 |
In 107 cases post-mortem examinations were made under the coroner's warrant.
Twenty-seven bodies were deposited in the chapel of rest, Avondale Park. In recent years this
building has been redecorated and the furnishings greatly improved with a view to encouraging its
use by the poorer persons in Notting Dale who have no satisfactory accommodation for the bodies
of dead relations pending the funeral. The number of bodies deposited during 1938 was greater than
during the previous year, but there is still a reluctance on the part of the residents of North Kensington
to make use of the facilities provided.
Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Acts, 1920-38.
Five applications were made to the council in 1938 for a certificate of fitness of habitation
under these Acts, and all were granted.
Inspection of Shops.
During the year under review 3,516 inspections of shops were made and 256 notices were
served. The works required to be executed were mainly of a minor character.