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
Holborn 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn Borough]
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Complaints
During the year 712 complaints were received in respect of the following nuisances:-
| Aged and infirm persons | 7 |
| Animals improperly kept | 5 |
| Artificial lighting, absence of, on common staircase | 1 |
| Dampness | 37 |
| Dilapidations and disrepair | 37 |
| Drains, choked or defective | 9 |
| Dust | 7 |
| Dustbin accommodation inadequate or unsuitable | 1 |
| Flues, defective | 4 |
| Food premises, unsatisfactory conditions in | 11 |
| Noise | 19 |
| Overcrowding | 12 |
| Obnoxious smells | 57 |
| Refuse, accumulations of | |
| Rodent infestation | 276 |
| Roofs, defective | 17 |
| Smoke | 41 |
| Unsound food | 15 |
| Vermin | 31 |
| Water supply impure | 1 |
| Water, supply inadequate | 15 |
| Water supply, burst pipes | 12 |
| W.C. accommodation inadequate, dirty or defective | 31 |
| Miscellaneous | 37 |
Water
1. Water for drinking and commercial purposes in this area is supplied by the Metropolitan
Water Board and has been satisfactory both in quantity and quality.
2. There is a piped supply, and bacteriological examinations of the raw water are
made by the Metropolitan Water Board, who also perform chemical analysis.
3. The water is not known to have any plumbo-solvent action.
4. No action has been necessary in respect of contamination.
5. All dwelling houses have a piped supply, and standpipes are normally used only in
cases of emergency, such as repair of mains.
One complaint was received regarding unsatisfactory drinking water. On investigation
this was found to be due to a transient condition not affecting the purity of the water.
Drainage
During the year 3,882 inspections were made by the Public Health Inspectors in
connection with drainage work; 110 applications for approval of proposed drainage work
were submitted together with the necessary plans, and 109 Combined Drainage Orders were
made.
Smoke Abatement
During the year 41 complaints were received regarding smoke nuisances and 422
observations were made. In most cases, it was found that the nuisance was caused by
unsatisfactory stoking, and conditions were remedied following advice being given by the
District Public Health Inspectors.