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135
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
In 781 cases the yards of premises have been paved or the
paving repaired compared with 496 in 1901. The want of yard
paving in some of the smaller house property causes a great deal
of discomfort and illness, especially among children.
In a large amount of that class of property the water-closet
is situated at the back of the premises entering from the yard,
and unless a properly paved path exists from the door to the
water-closet in wet weather this part of the yard is invariably in
a very insanitary condition. There is no question that this paving
adds greatly to the material comfort of the occupiers of the house.
3,086 rooms were cleansed and repaired, compared with
1,968 in 1901. In the parish of Streatham the number of rooms
cleansed and repaired during the year was 1,577, compared with
only 383 in 1901. This very large increase was due to the greater
amount of inspections carried out in this parish. There was also
an increase in the parish of Wandsworth, but a decrease in
Clapham.
936 drains were cleansed and repaired, a slight increase, compared
with last year.
187 notices of reconstruction of drains were sent on to the
Surveyors from this Department, 47 in Clapham, 5 in Putney, 101
in Streatham, 13 in Tooting, and 21 in Wandsworth.
The number of water-closets cleansed and repaired was
1,465, slightly under the number for 1901.
233 accumulations of manure were removed, compared with
155 last year.
Accumulations of manure have been the cause of a considerable
number of complaints during the year. In the large tram
and omnibus stables the removal is conducted as a rule regularly,
and is carried out in a satisfactory manner.
725 water cisterns were cleansed, repaired, or covered, compared
with 620 in the previous year.