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 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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Many other cases could be cited to indicate the very difficult problems which
arise from time to time and which call for time and patience before the source is
traced and the premises completely disinfested.
There were 12 ship rat infestations which were dealt with.
Four workable area Committees were held during the year at which representatives from this Department attended.
Sewer Treatments.
Two routine sewer treatments were carried out during the year as well as a
series of special sewer treatments in connection with the investigation into
Leptospirosis which was carried out in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture
and Fisheries. The co-operation of the Borough Engineer and his staff was
appreciated.
Details of the treatment are as follows:—
| Treatment No. | Dates | Manholes baited | Pre-bait | Bodies seen | Percentage of poison takes | Estimated kill | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complete take | Takes | No takes | CT. | PT. | NT. | |||||
| 15 | 26.5.52 12.6.52 | 769 | 263 | 450 | 319 | 9 | 9.77 | 84 | 6.23 | 3,825 |
| 16 | 24.11.52 4.12.52 | 793 | 323 | 486 | 307 | 3 | 3.91 | 81.69 | 14.4 | 3,547 |
| Spec. 4 | 1.9.52 3. 9.52 | 34 | — | 19 | 15 | 26 | — | 55.88 | 44.12 | M.A.F. recorded |
| Spec. 5 | 15.9.52 19. 9.52 | 34 | 5 | 8 | 26 | — | — | 87.5 | 12.5 | M.A.F. recorded |
| Spec. 6 | 14.10.52 17.10.52 | 33 | 6 | 11 | 22 | — | — | 100 | — | M.A.F. recorded |
Water Supplies.
The responsible authority for the supply of water to this Borough is, as for all
Metropolitan Boroughs, the Metropolitan Water Board. Samples were taken for
chemical and bacteriological examination as detailed below. All were reported to
be satisfactory.
Mains Supply.
Satisfactory Unsatisfactory
Chemical Bacteriological Chemical Bacteriological Chemical Bacteriological
6 4 6 4 - -
Public Health (London) Act, 1936—Section 95.
(1) Water supplies to tenement houses.
85 Notices were served, pursuant to this Section, requiring the provision of
water supplies to tenement houses. During the year 105 water supplies were provided. In one case, the Council carried out the necessary work to provide a water
supply to a tenement house, the cost being recovered from the owner. 7 Prosecutions
were taken for failure to comply with statutory notices, details of which are as
follows:—