London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Barking 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
This page requires JavaScript
The Health of Barking
people think that a hospital service can be conducted by people who have never
passed even the simplest examination in the work which is conducted at a hospital.
The power of the public is paramount—they alone have the right to say what
money they have available and how it shall be spent, but it will always take a man
with a deep appreciation and knowledge of music to become a conductor.
Parks and Open Spaces.
One day John asked me to address a meeting in which he was interested on the question of parks and open spaces in Barking. Now when called upon to make such an address I always ask the most competent person I know to outline remarks for me, and in this case a colleague, who wishes to remain anonymous, wrote the following notes:—
| Barking Park | 76 acres |
| Mayesbrook Park | 116 „ |
| Greatfields Park | 14 „ |
| Castle Green | 42 „ |
| Parsloes Park | 14 „ in the Borough of Barking |
| Vicarage Field | 4.4 „ |
| Abbey Playing Fields | 3.75 „ |
| 270.15 „ |
This table shows that there is a total of 270 acres in use by the public for
recreational purposes—in addition, there is within the Borough a further 330 acres
for future development as such when circumstances permit.
The statutory and temporary allotments total a further 221 acres. In these
days of increased leisure it is important that every facility available to provide
exercise in the open air should be used to the maximum and it is with satisfaction
1 notice both young and old making such excellent use of the opportunities provided
by the Council in the provision of open spaces, sports buildings and equipment.
The cultivation of a garden is a joy and an excellent pastime.
May I again plead for landscape gardens and seats to form rest sanctuaries for
our aged residents. Here, just removed and safe from the fast-moving traffic among
pleasant surroundings, our Darbys and Joans can still feel the pulse of life by
watching movement all around them.
Burial of the Dead.
Talking matters over, John was very surprised to learn that amongst the multifarious
duties carried out by a Medical Officer of Health is that of arranging for
the burial of certain persons. This duty arises from the provisions of Section 50
Page 7