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
Greenwich 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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58
Aged, Infirm and Physically Incapacitated Persons.—
Cases of infirm persons who are unable to maintain a reasonable
standard of cleanliness owing to senility or ill-health are usually
brought to the notice of the Department through complaint by
neighbours.
Such cases were visited by the Woman Sanitary Inspector
on 150 occasions. Experience has shown that these visits serve
a very useful purpose, especially in the case of those individuals
who for various reasons have ceased to take an interest in their
own welfare. The Domestic Home Help scheme has again been of
much assistance in providing suitable help in the homes of these
cases. In this connection the demand is a growing one and considerable
extension of the Home Helps Scheme will be necessary.
Summary of Work Performed by the Sanitary Inspectors during the Year 1947
| Inspections— | ||
| Houses inspected (House-to-House) | 64 | |
| „ „ (Complaints, nuisances) | 3,207 | |
| „ „ (Infectious Disease) | 179 | |
| „ „ (Overcrowding) | 598 | |
| Re-inspections, calls made, etc. | 12,312 | |
| Inspections of Factories | 265 | |
| „ „Shops | 76 | |
| „ „ Stables and yards | 29 | |
| „ „ Urinals | 56 | |
| „ „ Miscellaneous | 224 | |
| „ „ Houses let in Lodgings | 33 | |
| „ „ Outworkers premises | 58 | |
| Inspection of Premises (Pharmacy and Poisons Act, 1933) | 3 | |
| Investigations (Rats and Mice) | 779 | |
| On notice from Builder | 1,365 | |
| 19,248 | ||
| Drains— | ||
| Drains tested—by smoke | 158 | |
| „ „ —by water | 286 | |
| Opened, cleansed and repaired | 406 | |
| Reconstructions and additions | 144 | |
| Inspection chambers constructed | 91 | |
| New covers to manholes | 103 | |
| Soil and vent shafts repaired or renewed. | 99 | |
| Traps (gully) | 149 | |
| Drains sealed off, etc. | 31 | |
| Yards and forecourts drained | 48 | |