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
Islington 1912
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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1912] 222
In my previous report I drew your attention to the pathetic circumstances under which
many women are struggling to maintain their independance, with the result that certain
newspapers have commented on the need of a more drastic enforcement of the legislative
measures designed to stop this evil of sweating.
It is certain that any movement towards the prevention of consumption, or for the
advancement of the health of the working classes can be of little ultimate value while it
continues.
A possible solution of the difficulty might be found in advancing the payment of the
Old Age Pension to women who have been working for 40 years as employed persons when
they reach the age of 60.
The years between 60 and 70 are the most difficult; women are then willing to take
any work at any price, and they become the prey of every unscrupulous employer who cares
to exploit them.
General conditions found in premises inspected:—
| Satisfactory. | Unsatisfactory. | |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels and restaurants | 51 | 3 |
| Coffee and dining rooms | 79 | 13 |
| Refreshments | 14 | 2 |
| Fried fish | 37 | 5 |
| Pork butchers | 15 | 2 |
| Provisions | 84 | 12 |
| Eels and eel pies | 6 | 2 |
| Oysters | 1 | — |
| 287 | 39 |
There is a marked improvement in the conditions found in places where food is prepared,
and it is now generally understood by the occupiers, that in Islington, such places
are kept under regular inspection; and that due cleanliness must be observed in them. In
many instances such inspection is welcomed as affording a guarantee to the public; and it
has been frequently requested that a certificate of cleanliness might be issued to proprietors
whose business is deemed to be suitably conducted.
There is a constant menace to the public health in the accumulations of refuse
which is necessarily connected with such trade; but as this has been decided to be of the
nature of house refuse, the Council are consequently liable for its removal; such a nuisance
need only be of brief duration. At present there is a certain amount of injustice connected
with the matter. Some occupiers pay a weekly sum for an extra clearance; others have their
refuse removed daily without any extra charge; but the majority, refusing to pay, have an
accumulation stored in lime, which is both offensive and dangerous.
A summons under Sec. 4 of the Public Health (London) Act, and three summonses
under Sec. 8 of the London County Council General Powers Act, against the owners and