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 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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DRAINAGE RECONSTRUCTION PLANS.—During the year 260 (274) plans were submitted for drainage work in existing
buildings. Legal proceedings are reported under the appropriate section.
COMMON LODGING HOUSES.—There is only one common lodging house in the Borough—a Cecil House—which
provides sixty-six beds for women.
BAKEHOUSES.—There are now 5 (8) "underground" and 18 (18) "level" bakehouses in the Borough. During the
year 147 (195) inspections were made.
WATER SUPPLY.—All drinking water in the Borough is supplied from the Metropolitan Water Board's mains and
has been satisfactory. One (1) water supply certificate was issued under Section 95 of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1936.
PET ANIMALS ACT.—Seven (7) licences were applied for and granted during the year. Routine inspections were
made in order to ensure that the conditions attaching to the licences were being maintained.
RODENT CONTROL.—The following table gives details of the work carried out under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949. The figures relate to the fifteen months ended 31st March, 1954, at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries as it is proposed that the statistical year should in future coincide with the financial year.
| Dwelling Houses | All other Property | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total number of properties in district | 23,581 | 4,683 | 28,264 |
| Number of properties inspected as a result of— | |||
| 817 | 228 | 1,045 | |
| 87 | 30 | 117 | |
| Number of properties found to be infested by rats— | |||
| — | 2 | 2 | |
| 240 | 92 | 332 | |
| Number of properties found to be seriously infested by mice | 218 | 62 | 280 |
| Number of infested properties treated by rodent operatives | 458 | 156 | 614 |
It was not found necessary to serve any notices. Eight "block control" schemes were carried out. The sewers
in the Borough received two treatments, in January and June.
A further 100 trays were fixed in the sewers to facilitate baiting, leaving 50 trays still to be fixed to complete this
work.
SHOPS ACTS.—The Shops Acts Inspectors made 1,477 (1,351) visits. No statutory action was necessary, all
contraventions found being dealt with informally.
FOOD SUPERVISION.—
Unsound food.—Approximately 11¾ (11) tons of diseased or unsound food were surrendered for destruction.
Diseased meat is incinerated, meat and other food fit for animal consumption is added to the pig swill collected, while
other condemned food is disposed of with household refuse. The Public Health Committee were consulted regarding the
case of a nail found in a biscuit. A report was obtained on the factory where the biscuits were manufactured from
the local authority. No action was considered necessary except to warn the firm concerned.
Bacteriological examinations.—The number of samples of milk submitted to see if they complied with the tests
prescribed by the Milk Regulations was 120 (133) ; all of which were found to be satisfactory. Samples of ice cream
examined for bacterial content as prescribed in the Ice Cream (Heat Treatment) Regulations gave the following results:
Grade 1 5 (9) Grade 3 4 (7)
Grade 2 4 (20) Grade 4 7 (3)
Food Poisoning.—During July an outbreak of food poisoning occurred in two schools in the Borough, and 97
cases were reported. The agent causing the outbreak, staphylococcus aureus, was isolated from a sample of dried
milk used in the making of cream for the school dinners. Following enquiries made during this outbreak a further
consignment of ten barrels of dried milk sent to manufacturers in the Borough in August was sampled. Some of these
samples were found to be infected with staphylococcus aureus coagulose positive. One unopened barrel was returned