London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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London County Council 1895

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

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Return showing particulars of replies received from Medical Officers of Health as to the Methods of Disinfection adopted in the several sanitary districts withinthe County of London.

No.Parish or District.Whether Sanitary Authority has provided disinfecting oven.Where oven is situated.Whether , disinfection effected by dry heat or steam.Manner in which dry heat is produced.Arrangements made where no oven has been provided.Whether any chemicals used in connection with the oven.Length of time feather bed of average size is retained in oven, and highest temperature in centre of bed.Arrangements made for removal of infected articles to and from oven.Method adopted for disinfecting houses.Disinfectant recommended for disinfection of excreta.Whether charge is made for disinfection.Whether shelter has been provided as required by Section 60 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891.Diseases after which Authority carries out disinfection.remarks.
WEST DISTRICTS.
1PaddingtonNo...Bedding, (carpets, and large woollen fabrics by superheated steam...By contract with Messrs. Armfield, of BatterseaNo...In waterproof bags and covered van, by Messrs. Arm-field, who call daily at the Vestry at 11 a.m.Sulphurous acid gasSolution of 12¾ oz. zinc sulphate, 4½ oz. copper sulphate, 1½ oz. manganese sulphate, to one gallon of water. Used without further addition of water for chamber purposes, and in proportion of 1 oz. to a pint of water for drainsOnly occasionallyYesAll notifiable diseases, except trifling cases of erysipelasCarbolic soap supplied gratuitously to poor for washing and cleansing purposes. Everything done by Messrs. Armfield is cleansed as well as disinfected, bedding being taken to pieces, purified, and re-made.
2KensingtonNo...1. Dry heat principally used2. Superheated steam when beds are in a foul conditionGasDisinfection carried out by a contractorNo4 to 5 hours. Feather bed 245° F., com-m on mattress 232° F., hair mattress 237° F. Temperature in chamber ranges from 260° to 270° F.Necessary vehicles provided by contractor. Infected articles taken away in waterproof canvas bags. Disinfected articles taken back in separate and non-infected vehiclesSulphurous acid gasSulphate of iron, 1 lb. to 1 gallon of water recommended. But it is mainly left to discretion of medical man in attendanceNoNoSmallpox, scarlet fever, diphtheria, continued fevers, cholera; and puerperal fever occasionallyArticles disinfected are also cleansed.
3HammersmithYesThe Vestry's wharf, Chancellor's - road, HammersmithDry heatFurnace...Sulphur3 hours. Temperature of oven 250° F.Articles removed in an iron cart which is part of disinfecting apparatus; carts and contents being placed inside disinfector during processSulphurous acid gas. Floors, &c., washed with carbolic acid solutionPercliloride of mercury 1 in 5,000NoNo. Clerk authorised to provide accommodation when occasion arisesSmallpox, chicken-pox, scarlet fever, diphtheria, typhus, typhoid, erysipelas, continued fever, puerperal fever and cholera, also measles, when sanction can be obtainedWhen requested clothes infected with pediculi corporis are disinfected.
4FulhamNoSteamBy contract with Mr. Lacy, of FulhamNo20-40minutes; 250° F.Sulphurous acid gas. Floors, &c., washed with corrosive sublimate 1 in 960, whitewashing and repaperingCondy's fluid 1 oz. to the pintNoNoEvery disease enumerated in the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, sec. 55, sub-sec. 8The disinfection of houses is done by a separate officer, and if assistance is required a temporary officer is employed.
5ChelseaYesLot's-roadSteam (Washington Lyon)......No30-40 minutes; 220°-2o0° F.Two vans supplied by Vestry, one for infected and one for disinfected articlesSulphurous acid gas by burning sulphur, or by use of liquified So2St. Bede disinfectantNoNoRooms are disinfected, and bedding, clothing, &c., removed, for steam disinfection, after all notifiable
6St. George, Hanover-squareYesCommercial-road, PimlicoSteam(Goddard, Massey and Warner)......No45 minutes 248° F.Two vans, one for infected and one for disinfected articlesSulphurous acid gas. Scrubbing with carbolic soap and water. Removal and destruction of wall papers.Alkalised gas creosoteNoYesdiseases except erysipelas Smallpox, scarlet fever, diphtheria, membranous croup, enteric fever, erysipelas, puerperal fever, continued fever, typhus, relapsing fever, cholera
7Westminster (St. Margaret and St. John)YesDisinfecting station, Horse-ferry-roadSteam.........35 minutes; 240° F.Special vansSulphurous acid gasLeft to discretion of medical man in attendance if case is treated at homeNoYesSmallpox, cholera, diphtheria, membranous croup, scarlet fever, typhus, enteric, puerperal and continued fevers, and sometimes erysipelas. Fumigation has been carried out in many cases of measles
8St. James, WestminsterYesDufours - place, Broad - street, Golden-squareSteam (Washington Lyon)......No2 hoursCovered hand truckSulphurous acid gas. Cylinders containing liquified So2 are employedChloride of limeAccording to circumstancesYesAll notifiable diseases, but not always in cases of erysipelas or diphtheria