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 1958
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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| Date | Address | Magistrate's Decision |
|---|---|---|
| 18 2. 58 | 4 Lennox Road | Fined £7. 10s. 0d. Defendant to pay £1. 1s 0d costs |
| do. | 12 Lennox Road | Fined £7. 10s. 0d. Defendant to pay £1 1s 0d. costs. |
| 30. 12. 58 | 13A Crown Mansions | Fined £5. Defendant to pay £1. 1s. 0d costs |
Disinfection and Disinfestation.
(a) General.
As stated in the previous report the public are becoming more conscious of infestations by insects other than bugs and the advice of the Public Health Inspector is often sought by tenants, not only of houses but of factories and other business premises.
| The disinfection of wards in a number of hospitals continues | |
| The number of rooms disinfected after cases of infectious or other disease. | 688 |
| Number of rooms treated for vermin | 968 |
| Number of rooms included in the above figure treated for vermin (free) | 328 |
| (The majority of free cases were carried out on behalf of elderly or infirm persons or persons of limited means). | • |
| Number of families where effects were treated with D. D. T. as a precautionary measure | 225 |
In addition, the Public Health Inspector paid 24 visits to a factory to
supervise the treatment of 50 bales of stockings or other materials for export
The total weight of bales treated was 12 tons 18 cwts 1 qtr. 26 lbs
During the year a request was received from a hospital in the Borough for
the assistance of the Department in routine disinfection of pillows and woollen
blankets for the purpose of reducing the likelihood of infection within the
hospital, particularly for certain types of staphylococcal infection Following
some experimental work by the hospital pathology department staff in conjunction
with the Public Health Department, a satisfactory disinfecting procedure was
finally adopted depending on the principle of steam at atmospheric pressure plus
the addition of formalin vapour which, while effectively disinfecting, did not
spoil or shrink the blankets.
From May to December, 913 bags containing approximately 12 blankets and
12 pillows each, were disinfected in accordance with this procedure at an agreed
charge.
(b) Steam Disinfection.
3378 articles of clothing or bedding were steam disinfected.