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18 Report of the Medical Officer of Health for 1939.
729 rat complaints were received and the rat-catcher made
1,749 visits. A large number of rat baits were laid in the sewers,
special steps being taken in this direction during Rat Week.
682 inspections of shops were made under the Shops Act,
1934.
Mortuaries—Crematorium.
86 bodies were removed to Wandsworth Mortuary during
the year, but none were taken to the mortuaries in Clapham and
Streatham.
As Medical Referee I authorised 146 cremations to take place
at the Crematorium at Putney Vale Cemetery.
HOUSING.
44 new cases of overcrowding came under notice during the
year. 784 cases are known to have been relieved. Many of
these families were transferred to the Henry Prince Estate which
was designed for the relief of overcrowding and was completed
during the year.
The number of dwellings recorded as overcrowded at the
end of the year was 374, but as it is several years since a survey
of overcrowding was made this figure cannot give a true picture
of the extent of overcrowding in the Borough at the present
time.
1,679 house-to-house inspections were carried out, as compared
with 1,720 in 1938.
27 applications for certificates under the Rent and Mortgage
Interest Restrictions Acts, 1919 to 1923, were received and 23
certificates were granted, the other four applications being
withdrawn.
HOUSING ACT, 1936.
The Clearance of Insanitary Houses.
The redevelopment by the Council of the sites of the two
following insanitary areas has been completed during the year:—