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 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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52
Again there has been a slight decrease in the number of complaints and the number of
infestations found No infestation of ship rats was recorded
72 investigations were traced to defective drains 4 to unsealed fittings, 2 to defective
sewers and 1 to a disused drain In a number of cases heavy infestations of rats were caused
by defects in drains including an old brick barrel outlet drain. Infestations ceased when
repair or renewal of the drains in question was carried out
The Council approved the attendance of one of the Rodent Operators at a three day basic
course in Rodent Control sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Pood
Quarterly inspections were carried out at the Archway Group of Hospitals during the year
The Chief Public Health Inspector and the Rodent Officer attended three meetings of the
Workable Area Committee No. 1 held during the year
(b) Sewer Treatments.
Two sewer maintenance treatments were carried out in connection with which the cooperation of the Borough Engineer and his staff was appreciated Details of the treatments are as follows:-
| Treatment No and date | Manholes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In Borough | Not baited | Baited | Showing complete Takes | Showing Prebait Takes | Showing No Takes | |
| 29 13/4/59 | 827 | 43 | 784 | 371 | 602 | 182 |
| 30 12/10/59 | 828 | 53 | 775 | 341 | 564 | 211 |
Poison takes were not inspected
water Supplies
(a) The Metropolitan Water Board continues to be the responsible authority for the supply
of water to this Borough
Two bacteriological samples of mains supply and four for chemical examination were taken
by the Public Health Inspectors All were found to be satisfactory
Public Health (London) Act, 1936 Section 95
1 36 applications were received for Water Certificates and 36 Certificates were issued
in respect of 414 separate dwellings
2 Water supplies to tenement houses
49 Notices were served under this section requiring the provision of water supplies to
tenement houses 24 water supplies were provided or informed during the year
(b) Well water.
Of the 28 bore-holes or wells known to exist in the Borough nineteen continue to be
unused, being effectively sealed five of the remaining wells are still out of use
Ten samples were taken, five for chemical and five for bacteriological examination
The chemical samples indicated that the water could not be considered free from pollution but
the water from these wells, is used only for industrial purposes All the bacteriological results
were satisfactory.