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
Islington 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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In accordance with the requirements of the Public Health (London) Act 1936,
129 applications for Water Certificates were received and 129 Certificates were issued
in respect of 298 premises.
The following samples of water were taken
| Chemical | Bacteriological | Satisfactory | Unsatisfactory | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical | Bacteriological | Chemical | Bacteriological | ||
| 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | — | 2 |
The bacteriologically unsatisfactory samples were:—
(a) Prom a house tap drawing water from a storage cistern.
In this case the cistern was cleansed and further samples proved
satisfactory.
(b) From a deep well, the water being used for boiler and washing purposes
only.
Swimming Bath Water.—During the year the following samples were taken from the Council's swimming pools.
| Chemical | Bacteriological | Satisfactory | Unsatisfactory | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical | Bacteriological | Chemical | Bacteriological | ||
| 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 2 | — |
After each of the chemically unsatisfactory samples the Swimming Bath water
was changed.
SECTION D.
HOUSING.
During the year 1947, 1638 new applications for accommodation on London
County Council Estates were received by this Department. Of this number, 802
were found to be living under overcrowded conditions and Overcrowding Reports
were submitted to the London County Council. In 133 instances recommendations
were submitted to that Authority on grounds of serious ill-health, such as Tuberculosis,
Rheumatism, Valvular Disease of the Heart.
No official representation was submitted under Section 12 of the Housing Act,
1936, to close basement rooms as being unfit for human habitation (excluding 43,
Pemberton Gardens).
In December, 1947, 16 Flats at King Edward Buildings were represented under
this Section with a view to closure owing to their extremely dilapidated condition
These flats had been the subject of Reports to the Public Health and Housing
Committees of the Council.
It is not possible to assess the degree of overcrowding existing in the Borough
at the present time owing to the considerable changes of the population since the
Housing Survey of 1936. Before this may be ascertained, with any degree of
accuracy, it will be necessary for another full and systematic survey of the Borough
to be carried out.
No Section 9 Notices were served during the year.
Requisitioned Property.—Supervision has been maintained of repairs or
reconstruction of drainage and sanitary fitments in properties which have been
requisitioned by the Council, with a view to ensuring compliance with the Byelaws
where practicable.