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
St Pancras 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, Metropolitan Borough]
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The following table gives the number of articles disinfected or destroyed during the year on account of infectious disease or verminous condition: —
| — | Infectious Disease. | Verminous. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Destroyed. | Disinfected. | Destroyed. | Disinfected. | |
| Beds, mattresses and palliasses | 46 | 1911 | 29 | 172 |
| Bolsters and pillows | 25 | 4127 | 25 | 273 |
| Sheets, blankets and counterpanes | 16 | 6955 | 6 | 482 |
| Rugs, mats, cushions, carpets, covers and curtains | 6 | 960 | 9 | 84 |
| Wearing apparel | 20 | 3554 | 33 | 179 |
| Books | _ | 121 | — | — |
| Sundries | 38 | 477 | 11 | 36 |
| Totals | 151 | 18105 | 113 | 1226 |
The tables above are exclusive of the disinfection of the clothing of persons who
attended the cleansing station on account of being infested by vermin or suffering from scabies.
Disinfection for Institutions, etc.—In addition to the disinfecting work carried out free
of charge in connection with infectious disease, disinfections for other conditions are frequently
performed for hospitals or private residents. A small charge is made in these cases to cover
the cost.
The fees received for this work during the year ended 31st March, 1931, amounted to
£76 12s. 6d.
Cleansing Station. The amount of work carried out during the year is shown in the following table. The figures represent the number of attendances. At each attendance the person receives a bath, and the clothing is disinfected.
| Vermin | Men. | Women. | Children under 15. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1021 | 19 | 4589 | *5629 | |
| Scabies | 37 | 45 | 1275 | 1357 |
| Totals | 1058 | 64 | 5864 | 6986 |
• Includes 628 males and 2 females who had no home address.
The staff of the Disinfecting and Cleansing Station consists of a Foreman, a Disinfector
and two Motor Drivers and Disinfectors; a Matron of the Cleansing Station and two Women
Assistants.
The majority of the children included in the above table have been brought to the
cleansing station from the public elementary schools by officers of the London County Council,