London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Bethnal Green 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green Borough]
This page requires JavaScript
21
(8) Shops Acts.
During the year the Sanitary Inspectors paid 216 visits to shops
in relation to general sanitation, ventilation and temperature
requirements. 43 notices were served in respect of unsatisfactory
conditions found to exist.
(9) Disinfection and Disinfestation.
The following is a summary of the routine work carried out by the disinfecting staff during the year:—
| No. of rooms disinfested | 999 |
| Articles of clothing, bedding, etc., submitted to steam disinfection | 10,741 |
| Articles disinfected by formalin | 55,047 |
| Hospital mattresses, pillows, etc., disinfected | 6,491 |
| Number of articles destroyed by request | 519 |
In addition, all bombed sites, static water tanks and stables in
the borough were sprayed with insecticide as preventive measures
against flies and mosquitoes during the summer months.
The furniture of 215 families removing to Borough Council
flats was disinfested by means of hydrocyanic acid gas by arrangement
with contractors in course of transit from the previous homes, the
bedding being treated by steam at the Disinfecting Station at the
same time.
(10) Personal Cleansing Station.
During the year 40 adults and 8 children received baths,
simultaneous disinfection of clothing being carried out. In addition
13 adults and 3 children received treatment for Scabies at the Station.
(11) Rats and Mice.
Active measures were taken during the year to deal with rat
and mice infestations. 211 complaints were received during 1950,
all of which were investigated and in most cases smoke tests of the
drainage of the premises affected were carried out by the drainage
staff under supervision of the Sanitary Inspectors.
Systematic baiting and poisoning was carried out by the Rodent
Operatives on 407 premises with satisfactory results.