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

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Marylebone 1929

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Marylebone, Metropolitan Borough]

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9
During the year, following receipt of a numbtr of complaints as to the absence
of public sanitary convenience in the neighbourhood of St. John's Wood Road
Station, the Public Health Committee decided that in the interests of the public
health such provision was necessary and recommended the Council accordingly.
In the view of the Public Health Committee there was necessity for a convenience
for women as well as men, these to be constructed underground, but no definite
decision had been arrived at by the Council upon the matter before the year closed.
Removal and Disposal of House Refuse.
Throughout the year the arrangements in connection with scavenging
emained in the hands of the Highways Committee and under the control of the
Borough Engineer, Mr. James Gair. The disposal plant and methods fully
described in my report for 1925 have undergone certain changes during recent
times and further alterations are in progress or contemplated. It is proposed to
give a full description of the system in the next "Survey" report when it is
anticipated it will be nearing completion. The total amount of refuse collected for
the year ended 31st March, 1930, it may be mentioned, was 44,061 tons, as
compared with 41,999 tons in the previous year.
So far as the arrangements existing in houses, business premises, etc., are
concerned, it may be noted that the movable, covered metal dustbin is most
commonly found. New metal dust receptacles were provided to 226 premises.
During the year the inspectors made 3,156 visits. The majority of these
were made by Inspectors Hill and Lumley, who give part time to this work.
For neglect of the provisions with regard to the covering of dustbins, etc.,
placed on the footway for collection from the kerb, 177 notices were served.
Remedies in each case were carried out, legal proceedings not being necessary in
any instance.
Removal of Offensive Refuse.—Owing to the number of hotels, boarding
houses, restaurants, and large private establishments in the borough, considerable
quantities of food refuse (hog wash) are collected by pig-feeders daily, and close
watch is necessary in order to ensure that the requirements of the bye-laws
relating to removal of offensive refuse, as to hours of removal, provision of
proper receptacles, etc., are complied with. During the year a number of
warnings with regard to these matters were issued and in three instances prosecutions
instituted, which resulted in the imposition of fines amounting with costs to
£8 14s.
SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE DISTRICT.
Staff.—During the year there were on the staff of the Public Health Department,
in addition to the medical officer of health, a deputy medical officer of health
(Dr. A. A. Turner), a tuberculosis officer and assistant medical officer of health
for tuberculosis purposes (Dr. J. Donaldson Saner), two drainage inspectors, one
outdoor superintendent, one meat and food inspector, one house-to-house inspector,
six district inspectors, seven women sanitary inspectors and health visitors (one
engaged partly in tuberculosis work), one chief and five assistant clerks and
an office youth, with, in addition, at the Tuberculosis Dispensary, a sister and a
clerk dispenser. The following list gives information with regard to qualifications,
etc., of each of these officers as required by the Ministry of Health :—
Medical Officer of Health and Administrative Medical Officer—Tuberculosis,
and Maternity and Child Welfare: *Charles Porter, M.D., B.Sc.,
M.R.C.P. (Edin.), of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-law.
Deputy Medical Officer of Health (Part time): Adam A. Turner, M.C., M.B.,
Ch.B. (Aberd.), D.P.H. (Medical Officer of Health, Finchley).
Assistant Medical Officer of Health for Tuberculosis Purposes: *J. Donaldson
Saner, M.B., C.M. (Edin.), D.P.H.