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
City of London 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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74
SYSTEMATIC INSPECTION OF OFFICES.
Whenever possible, attention is given to the conditions under which office workers
carry out their duties, but there still exist no powers which enable Corporation officers to
conduct systematic inspection in the same way as they are empowered to do in factories
and workshops. When information is received of undesirable conditions existing in offices,
action can usually be taken under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, but I am of opinion
that the time has arrived when direct statutory powers should be given in this connection.
I understand that the London County Council propose introducing legislation dealing
with this matter at the first convenient opportunity.
CITY MORTUARY.
Bodies Received.—Post-Mortems and Inquests:—
Bodies received at the Mortuary to await burial 69
Post-Mortem examinations made 19
Inquests held on bodies 60
Inquests held on fires 0
The following tabulation shows the work carried out at the Mortuary and Coroner's Court during the past five years:—
| Year. | Articles disinfected. | Bodies received at the Mortuary. | Inquests held on bodies. | Post-Mortem Examinations. | Inquests held on Fires. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 233,821 | 114 | 71 | 77 | 2 |
| 1934 | 243,939 | 121 | 81 | 69 | 2 |
| 1935 | 248,031 | 111 | 74 | 65 | 4 |
| 1936 | 170,726 | 103 | 62 | 55 | 3 |
| 1937 | 283,626 | 75 | 65 | 20 | 2 |
| Average for previous 5 years | 236,029 | 105 | 72 | 59 | 3 |
| 1938 | 173,375 | 69 | 60 | 19 | 0 |
Disinfection.—Trade.—In accordance with the requirements of the South African
Government, the disinfection of second-hand clothing, prior to export to that country, has
been carried on as usual.
The following table gives the details of the work of disinfection carried out at the
Disinfecting Station during the year in connection with the export trade:—
Number of Certificates issued. Number of articles disinfected. Fees received by the Corporation.
449 165,499 £322
Other disinfection and cleansing work carried out during the year is as follows:—
Disinfection.—Infectious Disease :—
Articles disinfected after cases of infectious disease, &c. 1,917
Library Books, Papers, &c., disinfected 422
Public Vehicles—Electric Ambulance 1
Cells at Police Stations 0
Premises disinfected (including offices) 170
Lockers disinfected at request of General Post Office Authorities 116
Horsehair and Bristles (cases) 53
Cleansing of Persons Act, 1897:—
Number of verminous persons bathed 150
Number of articles of clothing disinfected 1,845
Cleansing of School Children:—
Total number of children cleansed 1,172
Number of articles of clothing disinfected 3,693
Books, &c., destroyed at request of owners 0
Beds, &c., destroyed at request of owners 16
Pigeons destroyed 995