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
London County Council 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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As in previous years much detailed information has been provided in response
to enquiries concerned with local land charges, and regarding properties scheduled
as "dangerous structures."
There has been a very great increase in the number of applications for preferential
consideration for rehousing on grounds of ill-health received through the
Director of Housing and direct from individual applicants. In all, 4,624 applications,
more than ten times the number (450) for 1945, were considered. In view of the
serious difficulties in rehousing, special care was exercised, by detailed enquiry and
consideration, td select only the most needful cases for recommendation for preference.
The number so recommended was 2,126, of which 1,053 were classified as most
urgent.
These figures do not include applications concerning persons receiving treatment
under the Council's tuberculosis scheme, which are referred by the Director of
Housing to the medical officers of health of the metropolitan boroughs for advice.
In this connection I have to acknowledge the valuable help given by the medical
officers of the metropolitan boroughs and numerous out-county authorities in providing
reports and giving their opinions on many premises occupied by applicants.
Tuberculous milk
The sampling for biological examination of milk coming into London in churns
by road and rail and of milk produced at the Council's farms has been continued.
Efforts have been made to secure at least one sample from each known consignor
and in many cases two samples were taken. A total of 1,155 samples was obtained,
including a small number taken after pasteurisation from plants at the London
depots. In no case was a positive result obtained from pasteurised milk or from
milk produced at the Council's establishments.
Details of the milk samples and results of examination follow:—
| Source of sample | Designation | Samples | Percentage positive of completed samples | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Positive | Incomplete | Negative | ||||
| 1946 | 1945 | ||||||
| (a) Supplied to London by road and rail in churns | Ordinary | 989 | 19 | 145 | 825 | 2.3 | 4.2 |
| Accredited | 65 | 3 | 9 | 53 | 5.4 | — | |
| Tuberculin tested | 56 | — | 5 | 51 | — | 10 | |
| (b) Plant at London depots | Pasteurised. | 21 | — | 3 | 18 | — | — |
| Total | 1,131 | 22 | 162 | 947 | 2-3 | 31 | |
| (c) Council's farms | Ordinary and tuberculin tested | 24 | — | 1 | 23 | — | — |
| Total | 1,155 | 22 | 163 | 970 | |||
Venereal diseases
Work The work of the clinics included in the London and Home Counties Scheme
^"clinics' at ^or the free diagnosis and treatment of venereal diseases has been continued throughout
the year, and increased facilities have been provided.
The following is a summary of work done at the London clinics for all areas
during the undermentioned years :—
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