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 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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20
SECTION B — GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES
Disinfection and personal cleansing
Details of the work carried out during the year are as follows
Disinfecting Station Table 11
| West | North | South | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disinfections | ||||
| Premises visited | 169 | 148 | 143 | 460 |
| Rooms disinfected | 355 | 417 | 283 | 1055 |
| Articles treated | 2160 | 1710 | 1488 | 5358 |
| Disinfestation | ||||
| Premises visited | 48 | 45 | 12 | 105 |
| Rooms disinfested | 197 | 166 | 30 | 393 |
| Articles disinfested | 328 | 50 | 15 | 393 |
| Analysis of articles treated | ||||
| Beds | 53 | 37 | 56 | 146 |
| Mattresses | 210 | 155 | 164 | 529 |
| Bolsters | 42 | 42 | 43 | 127 |
| Pillows | 362 | 262 | 266 | 890 |
| Cushions | 46 | 54 | 24 | 124 |
| Quilts | 88 | 76 | 97 | 261 |
| Blankets | 466 | 278 | 326 | 1070 |
| Sheets | 131 | 97 | 95 | 323 |
| Household articles | 494 | 307 | 240 | 1041 |
| Wearing apparel | 596 | 452 | 192 | 1240 |
| Total articles | 2488 | 17-60 | 1503 | 5751 |
| Articles received from cleansing station | - | 1728 | - | 1728 |
| Articles received from Coroner's court | — | 564 | — | 564 |
| Public library books treated after infection | 256 | 367 | 230 | 853 |
| Private library books treated after infection | 28 | 22 | 33 | 83 |
| Articles treated under the Public Health (London) Act s.122 | 10113 | 9808 | 17511 | 37432 |
A more detailed analysis of treatments for verminous conditions
and for scabies is shown:—
Verminous conditions Table 12
verminous conditions
Table 12
| First cleansing | Second cleansing | |
|---|---|---|
| Children under 5 | 17 | - |
| School children | 226 | 20 |
| Adults | 34 | 1 |
| TOTALS | 277 | 21 |