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
St George (Southwark) 1896
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southwark, The Vestry of the Parish of St. George the Martyr]
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21
Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health—1896.
Certain unwholesome dwellings which can be put into an habitable condition have
been reported to your Health Committee. Such houses have been closed pending
alterations—under the provisions of the Public Health Act.
It should, however, be clearly understood that those houses which can be dealt
with only by demolition, if a due regard be paid to health considerations, are usually
taken under the Housing Act. If closed by virtue of the less stringent Health Act,
there is nothing to prevent their remaining a standing danger, for an indefinite period,
to the health of the inhabitants of the neighbouring dwellings, and to the public
generally.
| Name. | Situation. |
|---|---|
| Farmer, John | 264, Old Kent Road |
| Redman, Frederick | 146, High Street, Borough |
| Rowe, John | 73, London Road |
| Trask, William S. | 11. Bermondsey New Road |
| Waters, Frederick | 79, Old Kent Road |
The Slaughter-houses regularly inspected have been found to be conducted in a
satisfactory manner. In the interests of the public, however, private slaughter-houses
should be replaced by "Abattoirs." This change would alone enable a systematic and
thorough inspection of meat to be made as at present practised in the large towns of
Germany, France, and Belgium.
| Name. | Situation. |
|---|---|
| Messrs. Harrison, Barber & Co., Limited | 23, Green Street |
During 1895, 3,640 horses were received at the above-mentioned knacker's yard
and disposed of as cat's meat.
During the year 1896 one of the yards of Messrs. Harrison, Barber & Co., namely
that in Westcott Street, was closed.
In the course of the summer some information came to the Sanitary Department
that horses were being slaughtered on unlicensed premises at 107 Old Kent Road.
The premises, which were used as stables, were accordingly placed under careful
observation by Mr. Ralph. In the upshot, evidence was obtained and a summons taken
out by the Vestry against the owner of the premises. The magistrate dismissed the
case on the technical ground that the slaughtering took place in a yard held in
common by the accused and by other occupants, therefore the summons was not good
at law, and was dismissed without costs.
It may be added that the County Council has since prosecuted the defendants in
the above case for a similar offence, and obtained a conviction. The fine and costs
amounted to £165.