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
Beckenham 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beckenham]
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Housing—Inspection of Dwelling Houses during the Year
| Total number of dwelling-houses inspected for housing defects (under Public Health or Housing Acts) | 1,793 |
| Number of inspections made for the purpose | 5,545 |
| Number of dwelling-houses (included under sub-head (1) above) which were inspected and recorded under the Housing Consolidated Regulations, 1925 | 126 |
| Number of inspections made for the purpose | 1,117 |
| Number of dwelling-houses (exclusive of those referred to under the following sub-head) found not to be in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation | 339 |
| Number of dwelling-houses found to be in a state so dangerous or injurious to health as to be unfit for human habitation | 0 |
| Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which informal notices were served | 339 |
| Number of dwelling-houses in which defects were remedied after service of informal notices | 251 |
| Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which formal notices were served requiring defects to be remedied | 88 |
| Number of dwelling-houses in which defects were remedied after service of formal notices : | |
| (a) by owners | 88 |
| (b) by Local Authority in default of owners | — |
Properties not Possessing Main Drainage Systems.
The position remains substantially the same as the details given in the 1950 Annual Report, and may be summarised as follows:—
| Number of cesspools in the area | 17 |
| Number of domestic properties connected to cesspools | 24 |
| Number of sports pavilions connected to cesspools | 11 |
| Number of properties having earth closet or chemical closet accommodation | 10 |
| (not including moveable dwellings) |
Unsound Food.
There continues to exist the closest co-operation between the
Vendors of food and the Council's Sanitary Inspectors. It was not
necessary, during the year, formally to seize any unsound food offered
and exposed for sale. As a result of our visits and inspection of
suspect packs of foods, approximately 9½ tons of various foodstuffs were
condemned and surrendered by the Vendors for destruction under our
supervision.
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