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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One of the two original disinfecting machines has been modernised and is used for
normal working. A new smaller machine has also been installed, and this is used with the
larger one at peak periods or on its own with small loads for more economical working.
The disinfecting machines are served by one of the two original steam boilers which
has been made more efficient by conversion to oil firing with fully automatic control.
During the year also, an agreement was entered into whereby Holborn undertook to
carry out all disinfecting, disinfestation and cleansing work for the City of Westminster.
This agreement necessitated an increase in the staff of the disinfecting station, and there
was a transfer of certain personnel from Westminster to Holborn.
| Number of rooms disinfected after tuberculosis | |
| Number of rooms disinfected after scabies | |
| Number of rooms disinfected after other infectious diseases | 85 |
| Total number of rooms disinfected after infectious disease | 92 |
| Number of articles of bedding and clothing disinfected after tuberculosis | 134 |
| Number of articles of bedding and clothing disinfected after scabies | 41 |
| Number of articles of bedding and clothing disinfected after other infectious diseases | 2,778 |
| Total number of articles disinfected after infectious disease | 2,953 |
| Number of books disinfected after infectious disease | 135 |
| Number of rooms disinfested of vermin | 150 |
| Number of articles of bedding and clothing disinfested of vermin | 2,221 |
| Summary of 5,174 articles of bedding and clothing dealt with during the year:- | |
| Mattresses | 348 |
| Pillows | 641 |
| Pillow Cases | 251 |
| Bolsters | 31 |
| Bolster Cases | 23 |
| Blankets | 392 |
| Sheets | 215 |
| Household | 2,319 |
| Clothing | 727 |
| Other Bedding | 227 |
Aged Persons
The National Assistance Acts, 1948 and 1951, provide that, where certified by the
Medical Officer of Health to be necessary for the purpose of securing the proper care
and attention for persons who
(a) are suffering from grave chronic disease or, being aged, infirm or physically
incapacitated, are living in insanitary conditions, and
(b) are unable to devote to themselves, and are not receiving from other persons,
proper care and attention,
a local authority may apply to a court of summary jurisdiction for an order to secure the
removal of such aged and infirm persons.
There were no cases arising during the year which called for action under the above
Acts by the Public Health Department, but visits were made in connection with the
voluntary removal of aged and infirm persons living alone, to hospitals or other places
and in connection with the provision for such persons of home nursing and home help
facilities.