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
Lewisham 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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38
Coroner's Court and Mortuary.
These premises are situated in Ladywell Road and comprise a
Court Room, Witness Room, Coroner's Office, Caretaker's Apartments
and Mortuary.
During the year 422 bodies were received into the Mortuary, of
which number, 143 were brought in from outside the Borough and
210 from Public Institutions. The Inquests held numbered 309,
and 194 post-mortem examinations were conducted.
Disinfection and Personal Cleansing.
The Disinfecting Station is situated at Wearside Road, Lewisham. Details of the work carried out during the year are contained in the following table:—
| Disinfecting Station. | |
| Premises Visited | 1,246 |
| Rooms Disinfected | 2,683 |
| Articles Disinfected:— | |
| Beds | 679 |
| Blankets | 3,104 |
| Bolsters | 745 |
| Mattresses | 1,730 |
| Pillows and Cushions | 3,894 |
| Quilts | 1,293 |
| Sheets | 2,201 |
| Miscellaneous Articles | 5,827 |
| Wearing Apparel | 6,482 |
| Articles Washed | 14,689 |
| Mattresses Re-tufted | 766 |
| Verminous Rooms Treated | 277 |
| Verminous Articles Treated | 1,690 |
| Cleansing Station. | |
| Children Treated for Vermin | 1,222 |
| Attendances at the Cleansing Station | 2,386 |
| Adults Treated for Vermin | — |
| Attendances at the Cleansing Station | — |
| Adults and Children Treated for Scabies | 147 |
| Baths Given | 837 |
Eradication of Bed Bugs.
During the year, 30 Council houses and 130 other houses were
found to be bug infested, and were subsequently disinfested. The
usual method of treatment is by fumigating with sulphur, or by
spraying with insecticide, and, if necessary, the removal of the
architraves and mouldings. The work of disinfestation is carried
out entirely by the Council.
Prospective tenants of Council houses are advised to have their
effects disinfected before taking possession.