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 1945
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, Metropolitan Borough]
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In order to assist with the treatment of scabies cases arrangements were continued with
the Middlesex and University College Hospitals, and the number of attendances at each of
these clinics was:—
Middlesex. University College. Total.
487 205 692
Note.—These clinics were closed as from 31st December, 1945.
Rat Extermination.
During 1945, the Council continued to make available to the public the services of three
Rodent Operators, working under the general direction of a District Sanitary Inspector.
The methods of extermination recommended by the Ministry of Food were closely followed,
and the many tributes received demonstrate the efficiency of these methods and the skill of the
operators.
There were 701 complaints of rat infestation during the year. 528 premises were treated;
173 were business premises in respect of which receipts from occupiers amounted to approximately
£350, and 355 were private dwellings where the service was free of charge.
Mortuary and Coroner's Court.
The number of cases dealt with at the Public Mortuary, Camley Street, during the year were:—
| (1) Bodies received | 720 | ||
| (2) Post mortems held:— | |||
| (i) Resident and died in St. Pancras | 212 | ||
| (ii) Resident in St. Pancras, died elsewhere | 18 | ||
| (iii) Died in St. Pancras, resident elsewhere | 89 | 319 | |
| (b) Ex-St. Pancras cases (both resident elsewhere and died elsewhere) | 376 | ||
| 695 | |||
| (3) Bodies received for viewing only | 25 | ||
| (4) Inquests held | 512 | ||
During the year considerable improvements were made to the premises despite
the difficulties of shortage of essential materials. There was a complete change of staff and
a permanent Mortuary Keeper and Assistant Mortuary Keeper were appointed. The cottage
was put into a good state of repair and the Mortuary Keeper is now resident.
Housing.
Work under the Housing Act, 1936, was suspended owing to the War, but a number
of re-housing applications were dealt with by having such premises inspected and the prescribed
form forwarded to the London County Council.
The number of applications referred by the borough to the L.C.C. for information as to
overcrowding was 57, and 38 on account of tuberculosis in the family.