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
Barking 1936
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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72
13. ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHT RADIATION.
Ultra-violet light radiation is measured in Barking at the Barking Hospital.
The apparatus used is that designed by Professor Leonard Hill, known as the
" test by fading" instrument. The biologically active ultra-violet rays are
measured by the fading of a standard solution of acetone and methylene blue.
The following table shows the comparative ultra-violet light readings for the years 1933, 1934, 1935 and 1936
| Month. | Daily average for Barking. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 1934 | 1935 | 1936 | |
| Units. | Units. | Units. | Units. | |
| January | 0.76 | 0.48 | 0.13 | 0.32 |
| February | 0.78 | 0.82 | 0.75 | 0.75 |
| March | 0.92 | 1.41 | 1.68 | 1.78 |
| April | 1.50 | 1.99. | 2.40 | 2.40 |
| May | 4.00 | 2.93 | 3.42 | 3.45 |
| June | (Reading not taken) | 3.66 | 4.93 | 4.57 |
| July | 4.74 | 4.77 | 8.16 | 6.97 |
| August | 5.45 | 5.93 | 7.97 | 8.19 |
| September | 4.06 | 6.83 | 7.60 | 7.87 |
| October | 1.48 | 5.35 | 5.48 | 6.09 |
| November | 0.86 | 2.20 | 1.70 | 3.10 |
| December | 0.96 | 1.03 | 0.65 | 1.83 |
14. SCHOOLS.
In the case of Gascoigne and Northbury Schools, attention was called to
the unsatisfactory sanitary conveniences for the infants and junior boys. These
are shortly to be re-modelled.
Twelve of the sixteen elementary schools are of recent construction and two are
out-of-date.
It has not been found necessary to close any department of the schools as a
result of infectious disease. In this connection I am at present reviewing the
position with regard to the exclusion of contacts with the commoner infectious
diseases.