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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| Name and Age | Reasons for Council's Action | Period Named in Court Order | Type of accommodation to which removed | Ultimate Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) |
| Mrs. B. (72 years) | Mrs. B. had been cleansed by District Nurses, but they found they could no longer cope with the situation. Room cleansing was beyond scope of Home Help. The room occupied was in a most insanitary condition with decaying scraps of food and excreta about the place. Dirty floors and bed rags im2 pregnated with urine were further examples of bad home conditions. This aged person whose cloth2 ing consisted of rags, suffered from arterio-sclerosis, mental senility and malnutrition, and refused to go away in her own interests despite pleadings from her also aged hus2 band. | Not exceeding three months | There was no likelihood of this patient getting better. Wished to remain at Home as voluntary patient. | |
| Miss W. (85 years) | Miss W. was a most determined character and was a source of concern to her relatives, who agreed to the Council seeking a Magistrate's Order in her own interests. The home conditions were revolting, with a mass of rubbish, excreta in room, and the bedding a mass of verminous rags. The patient, who would not avail herself of a Home Help's assistance, or leave home, suffered from severe malnutrition, mental senility and arterial degeneration. | Not exceeding three months | No likelihood of getting better—wished to remain at Home as voluntary patient. | |
| Miss L. (84 years) | This case was brought to our notice through Miss L. collapsing in the street and being admitted to hospital for a short time due to neglect and under-nourishment. The home was in a very dirty state, with no cleansing of floor and furniture for months. The bedding consisted of rags. There was a bucket of stale excreta in evidence and the odour of the rdom was appalling. Miss L. was unco-operative, refusing Home Help, and was not willing to go away voluntarily, although incapable of caring for herself. Besides a severe degree of malnutrition, this aged person suffered from hypertension. | Not exceeding three months | Content to remain in Home as voluntary patient. |