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 1940
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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Dog nuisances. Proceedings were taken in lb cases
during the year and fines amounting to £8. 2s. 6d. were
imposed.
OTHER SERVICES.
The following activities have also been conducted
throughout the year and records of the work done may be
seen in the public health departments-
Work at the public baths and washhouses.
Work at the mortuaries and chapel of rest.
Rats and mice destruction.
Destruction of pigeons.
Cleansing of verminous persons.
Disinfection after infectious diseases.
Disinfestation.
Factories, workshops and outworkers, inspections.
Pharmacy and Poisons Act - inspections.
HOUSING.
Basement Rooms.
Thirty-six closing orders were made during the year
in respect of unfit basement rooms. Seven prosecutions
were instituted in respect of the illegal occupation of
olosed rooms and fines amounting to £17. 15s. Od. were
imposed.
Overcrowding.
At the beginning of the year, records based on the
national overcrowding survey showed that there were 1,777
overcrowded families living in the borough. Owing to the
movement of population due to evacuation and calling up
of men and women for service with the Armed Forces, it
is impossible to give an estimate of the number of over-
crowded families remaining at the end of the year, but there
can be no doubt that it has been considerably reduced. By rehousing
the Council abated overcrowding in 111 cases.
General
1. Inspection of dwelling houses during the year:-
| (i) (a) Total no. of dwelling houses inspected for housing defects (under Public Health or Housing Acts) | 2,514 |
| (b) No. of inspections made for purpose | 17,128 |
| (ii) (a) No. of dwelling houses (included under sub-head (i) above) which were inspected and recorded under the Housing Consolidated Regulations, 1925 | 171 |
| (b) No. of inspections made for purpose | 931 |
| (iii) No. of dwelling houses found to be in a state so dangerous or injurious to health as to be unfit for human habitation | Nil |
| (iv) No. of dwelling houses (exclusive of those referred to under the preceding sub-head) found not to be in all respects | 1,08 |
| No. of defective dwelling houses rendered fit in consequence of informal action by the local authority or their officers | Nil |