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
Finsbury 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Finsbury Borough]
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96
Accommodation for the storage of Food.
London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1937, Section 65.
This section extends the requirements of Section 184 of the
Public Health (London) Act, 1936 (Accommodation for the Storage
of Food in certain Tenement Houses) to every tenement house.
Under the London Act the provision of storage accommodation
for food could not be enforced in any tenement house used or
occupied as such before 16th August, 1909. The Health Department
has given consideration to these extended powers, and notices have
been served under the Act in suitable cases.
One hundred and seven notices were served last year for the
provision of ventilated food cupboards. In all 209 such cupboards
were installed.
Mortuary, Coroner's Court, Shelter and Disinfecting Station.
The use of these premises at Nos. 47 and 49 Northampton
Road was discontinued when the Health Centre was opened.
Twelve bodies were received last year.
The following table gives particulars of the disinfection work during the year 1938, both at the old and new premises. Premises disinfected after :—
| Diphtheria | 137 |
| Measles | 564 |
| Vermin and Scabies | 349 |
| Scarlet Fever | 165 |
| Tuberculosis | 125 |
| Whooping cough | 224 |
| Miscellaneous reasons | 181 |
| By request | 196 |
Bedding and mattresses were steam disinfected for the following
institutions :—
St. Mark's Hospital, St. Barnabas' Hospital, Royal London
Ophthalmic Hospital.
A total of 15,558 articles were disinfected last year. These
were chiefly mattresses, pillows, bolsters, sheets, blankets, quilts
and wearing apparel.
Four persons were temporarily housed in the shelter in 1939.