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
City of Westminster 1908
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]
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Shelters.—Five persons were admitted to the temporary shelters at
Horseferry Road while disinfection was being carried out, three being
nurses after attendance on puerperal cases.
The following table gives a comparative statement of the above work during the past six years:—
| 1902. | 1903. | 1904. | 1S05. | 1906. | 1907. | 1908. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premises | 1,097 | 709 | 581 | 667 | 96 L | 840 | 1,067 |
| Rooms | 1,836 | 1 ,039 | 935 | 1,177 | 1,627 | 1,455 | 1,568 |
| Articles disinfected | 39,965 | 27,766 | 29,107 | 34,703 | 47,865 | 36,115 | 31,915 |
| Articles destroyed | 37 | 126 | 52 | 151 | 195 | 1,660 | 233 |
| Books disinfected | 24 | 16 | 10 | 52 | 363 | 136 | 557 |
| Number admitted to | |||||||
| shelters | 20 | 19 | 39 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
Cleansing of Persons-The Guardians have dealt with the
frequenters of their casual wards, who are the persons most troubled
with vermin, at their own establishments. Five persons were specially
treated at Horseferry Road; 23 children were dealt with on account
of verminous conditions reported from schools; 50 visits in connection
therewith were paid to the houses and 12 to schools.
Verminous Houses—Twenty-six rooms in six houses were fumigated
with sulphur and 388 articles were passed through the disinfecting
apparatus on account of their verminous condition. In addition 126
premises were purified by the owners for like conditions after notice by
the Council.
A letter was received by the City Council from the London County
Council, dated the 12th February, 1908, drawing attention to Sections
36 and 37 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1907,
with reference to the Cleansing of Verminous Persons, pointing out that
Section 36 gives statutory power to the County Medical Officer or any
other person authorised by him (a) to examine the person and clothing
of any child attending any school provided or maintained by the County
Council, to ascertain whether the person or clothing of such child is
infested with vermin, or is in a foul or filthy condition; (b) to require
the parent or other person responsible for such child to effect the
cleansing of the person and clothing of the child within 24 hours of the
notice to that effect, and (c) on default of such parent or other
responsible person, to remove the child from the school and to cause the
person and clothing of such child to be properly cleansed in suitable
premises and with suitable appliances, and to detain there such child
until such cleansing has been effected; and that Section 37 enables the
Medical Officer or any other person authorised by him (a) to enter any
lodging house and examine the person and clothing of any person whom
lie has reason to suspect of being infested with vermin or in a foul or