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
Paddington 1940
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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DISINFECTION. The number of rooms disinfected after the occurrence
of infectious disease was 339 and the weight of bedding removed
for disinfection amounted to approximately 20 tons.
CLEANSING OF VERMINOUS PERSONS. 208 adults and 119 children receive
treatment during the year.
CLEANSING OF VERMINOUS ROOMS. Notices under Section 123 of the
Public Health (London) Act were served with respect to 18 premises,
the verminous rooms numbering 27 all of which were satisfactorily
dealt with.
BACTERIOLOGICAL WORK. The number of examinations made was 347, which
included 195 for diphtheria and 138 for tuberculosis. Eight of th
former and 12 of the latter were positive.
RENT AND MORTGAGE INTEREST (RESTRICTIONS) ACTS. Six applications for
certificates were made, 5 of which were granted.
FACTORIES ACT, 1937. Inspections totalled 381. Defects found
numbered 15, all of which had been remedied by the end of the year.
No legal proceedings were necessary.
BAKEHOUSES. At the end of the year the number of level bakehouses
was 17, and of underground 26. Inspections numbered 399.
SHOPS ACTS. First inspections numbered 26, and re-inspections 1,379.
No exemption certificates were applied for, and no legal proceedings
were necessary.
WORK OF THE DISTRICT INSPECTORS.
| Number of complaints received | 1,233 |
| Number of first inspections | 1,245 |
| Number of re-inspections | 10,029 |
The following articles, damaged by enemy action, were also surrendered during the year.
| Butter | 80 lbs. |
| Margarine, cooking fats, suet, etc., | 261 lbs. |
| Sugar | 629 lbs. |
| Cheese | 173 lbs. |
| Milk, liquid | 146 pints |
| Tea | 164 xbs. |
| Wines, etc | 99 bottles |
| Cereals | 837 lbs. |
| Salt, Condiments,etc | 431 packets |
| Confectionery, sweets | 1542 lbs. |
TENEMENT HOUSES. No houses were added to the Register during the
year, the number remaining at 2,403. Inspections totalled 5,155
and legal proceedings were instituted in respect of 45 nuisances
and contraventions of the Byelaws. A number of tenement houses
were inspected in connection with annual cleansing and notices
were served where necessary.
FOOD SUPERVISION. Five hundred samples were taken during the year,
of which 3 (0.6 per cent) were found to be adulterated. Two
hundred and fifty-three of these samples were of milk, 1 (0.39 per
cent) being not genuine. Legal proceedings were taken with respect
to a sample of minced meat which contained 1,158 parts per million
of sulphur dioxide, contrary to the provisions of the Public Health
(Preservatives in Food) Regulations 1925-1927. Proceedings were
also instituted in two cases with regard to the sale of food
intended for, but unfit for, human consumption.
The weight of unsound food surrendered by tradesmen and dealers
for destruction was 10 tons, 12 cwts., 0 qrs., 11 lbs.