[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough] page 63

Islington 1954

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]

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Table: Aged and Infirm—Action taken under Statutory Powers

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Aged and Infirm—Action taken under Statutory Powers

Name and Age (1)	Reasons for Council's Action (2)	Period Named in Order (3)	Type of accommoda-tion to which removed (4)	Ultimate Result (5)
(1) Miss W. (62 years)	The above-named was found to be bedridden and lonely and without proper atten-tion when visited by Officers of this Depart-ment, who reported that the home was very dirty. This visit followed a refer-ence from the patient's doctor, who was of the opinion that hospital atten-tion, although refused, was necessary. Miss W. was suffering from myocardial degeneration, corneal ulceration and eczema of the scalp and was confused concerning the whereabouts of any friends or relatives. A J.P. made an Order.	Not exceeding three weeks	General Hospital	Settled down in Hospital after deten-tion period, but died three months later.
(2) Mr. S. (84 years)	Mr. S. lived in the remains of a demolished house and shop property situated at a site acquired by the Lon-don County Council for development purposes. Al-ternative accommodation had been refused. This hovel consisted of a shop and a former back room made into one and could be entered only through a narrow aperture as the rub-bish in the front part was up to a height of nearly six feet. The roof let in water and no normal household facilities could be seen except for a gas ring. A worried sister called in a priest, who went to a doc-tor. The latter was unable to get into the premises and therefore advised this Department. The Sanitary Inspector visi-ted and reported that the premises were indescribable from any public health standard and it was impos-sible to believe that any person could live there. Mr. S. was lying in one corner and could not be seen properly owing to the lack of light and surround-ing piles of rubbish. All offers of assistance were refused. The Deputy Medi-cal Officer of Health then visited in company with a local General Practitioner,	Not exceeding three weeks	General Hospital	It was found that Mr. S. was suffering mainly from the re-sults of self-neglect. With proper care and nourishment his health improved to such an extent that after four months treatment he was able to leave and take up lodgings in this Borough with a friend. The dog went back to his master.