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VII
followed the house-to-house inspection of the district to ascertain
the fitness of the affected houses, special vists in connection with the
Mayor's Relief Fund (structure sub-committee), and finally the survey
of the whole of the Millbank area with the view to the preparation
of an Improvement Scheme to be promoted in a private Bill. These
brief allusions simply mention the outlines of the various fields of
work which, even in June, has not been completed. So great were
the demands made on the staff, that I was glad to avail myself of
the services of two sanitary inspectors very kindly lent by Dr.
Fenton, Medical Officer of Health, with the authority of the Council
of the Royal Borough of Kensington. As they could not remain
with us indefinitely three temporary sanitary inspectors were
appointed for varying periods, and one still remains. A temporary
clerk was engaged for a period of four months. The following
figures in connection with the flood work may prove of interest:—
Flooded houses, 451.
Houses where back flooding from drains occurred, 271.
Separate dwellings—ground floors, 86 ; basements, 46.*
Houses from which damaged furniture and household effects were
removed, 619.
Some 6,000 visits were paid by sanitary inspectors and health
visitors to houses and families affected by the flood. Over 2,000
tins of disinfectant were distributed for use in flooded premises.
Reference has already been made to the detailed housing survey
of the flooded districts, which is still in progress. Many houses in
this district were old, frequent repairs being necessary to maintain
them reasonably fit for habitation, and the damage wrought by
the flood has in a number of cases precipitated their decline. It is
anticipated that the housing conditions in this district will be dealt
with in due course in an improvement scheme.
It is gratifying to note that there was no outbreak of infectious
disease in consequence of the flood, and in fact there were fewer
notifications than usual in this particular area during the three
months following. In a few instances, however, sufferers from
chronic ailments, such as rheumatism and bronchitis, were caused
considerable discomfort and required treatment in hospital. It
*Twelve were found to have been illegally occupied.