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

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London County Council 1898

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

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56
Lambeth—The Vestry made arrangements for the bacteriological examinations of material
from suspected cases of diphtheria.
Cambencell—After consideration of a report by the medical officer of health, the Vestry
appointed Dr. Bousfield to be their bacteriologist.
Lee (Eltham)—Arrangement has been made for the examination of material from suspected
cases of diphtheria and enteric fever.
Plumstead—Arrangements were made with the Clinical Research Association for the
examination of material from suspected cases of diphtheria. No examinations were made in 1898,
but several applications were subsequently received.
Woolwich—The medical officer of health recommended that facilities should be given for
the bacteriological examination of material from suspected cases of diphtheria.
PART III.
Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops.
During 1898 the Council's inspectors made 23,478 inspections of dairies and milkshops.
In 42 instances legal proceedings were instituted under the Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops
Orders, and penalties amounting to £79 l6s. 0d. were imposed by the magistrates. In 218 instances,
cases of infectious disease occurred at registered milkshop premises, and were dealt with by
the Council's inspectors, the numbers of cases of each disease being 110 of scarlet-fever, 76 of
diphtheria, 15 of enteric fever, 11 of erysipelas, 2 of continued fever, and 4 of measles. In all cases
the inspectors visited the premises with a view to ensuring the adoption of measures to prevent
contamination of the milk. The number of applications for renewal of existing licences to cowsheds
was 357, of which 354 were granted. The number of applicants for registration of dairies
and milkshops received during the year was 1,746, of which 449 were in respect of premises not
previously on the register.
Offensive Businesses.
During 1898 the Council's inspectors made 5,281 inspections of premises upon which
offensive businesses, including that of a slaughterer of cattle, were carried on. In 23 instances
legal proceedings were instituted, and in 21 cases penalties were imposed by the magistrates
amounting in the aggregate to £72 15s. Od. The number of applications for renewal of slaughterhouse
licences was 442, of which 429 were granted. The number of applications for renewal of
licences to knackers yards was five all of which wpre granted

The number of applications for the licence of slaughter-houses, and the number granted in each of the last eight years, is shown in the following table—

Year.No. of applications received.No. of licences granted.
1891656651
1892547537
1893542529
1894518506
1895497485
1896478470
1897460456
1898442429

Complaints to the London County Council.
During 1898 the Council received 1,008 applications for assistance in securing the removal
of insanitary conditions. In cases in which representation had not already been made to the
sanitary authority the applicants were advised to make such representation. In other cases the
sanitary authorities were communicated with. In all cases the matter was kept under observation
until the conditions complained of were remedied. In connection with these applications, 1,396
inspections were made by the Council's inspectors.
Nuisances.
Trade nuisances.
Various nuisances arising from trade processes are discussed in the reports of the medical
officers of health. The following are those referred to—
Brick-burning—Proceedings for nuisance were instituted in respect of brick-burning on
two plots of land in Deptford. The report of the district board gives account of interruption to
the usual course of proceedings owing, among other circumstances, to the removal of the magistrate
hearing the case to another police-court. Eventually " it was agreed with the solicitors of the
defendants that no further proceedings should be taken on those summonses, but at the same
time it was pointed out to the defendants' solicitors that if further certificates were given certifying
these manufactories to be a nuisance or dangerous to the health of any of the inhabitants of
the district, the Board would have no option but to commence proceedings de novo." The medical
officer of health of Kensington reports that no further nuisance appears to have been experienced
from brickfields in connection with which proceedings had been successfully instituted four
years previously.