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 1962

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Finsbury Borough]

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result of a special survey carried out, action was taken where necessary
to enforce the requirements of the Bye-Laws, but there is still room
for further improvements. In all 20 visits were made to hairdressers
and barbers during 1962.
DISINFECTION:
Disinfection is carried out where infectious disease has occurred,
upon request or when such action is considered desirable.
The usual method is to spray the infected rooms and contents with
a formalin solution and in some instances bedding etc., is removed to
the Health Centre for treatment in the steam disinfector. In the more
serious cases of infection fumigation is carried out by using a mixture
of formaldehyde and potassium permanganate after the rooms have been
completely sealed.

Table: During 1962 it was not necessary to resort to the latter type of treatment in any case, although spraying was done at 112 premises under the following headings:-

During 1962 it was not necessary to resort to the latter type of treatment in any case, although spraying was done at 112 premises under the following headings:-

SuspectedDysentery and Gastro Enteritis11
SuspectedMeasles4
SuspectedScarlet fever9
SuspectedWhooping Cough2
Miscellaneous I.D.28
Tuberculosis9
Scabies4
On behalf of St. Marks Hospital, Moorfields Eye Hospital Mount Pleasant G.P. 0.45

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Bedding and clothing were brought to the Disinfecting Station in
the Health Centre in these cases, and disinfected with steam. In all
including the caseswhere this was carried out for the control of vermin
444 articles were treated.

Table: Goods, mostly clothing, were also disinfected on behalf of certain export firms as follows:-

Goods, mostly clothing, were also disinfected on behalf of certain export firms as follows:-

Number of articles25, 062
Number of times disinfecting plant charged78

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RECEPTION HOUSE:
The portion of the Health Centre which had, in the past, been
maintained by the Council as a Reception House (for persons who could
not remain in their own rooms whilst these were being cleansed after
infectious disease, or who had no alternative accommodation in which to
reside during housing repairs) continued to be used, by agreement with
the North East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board, for the purpose of
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