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
Chislehurst 1914
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Chislehurst]
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I give below a copy of the report received on a sample of water taken from a stand-pipe supplying three houses in Mill Place, on August 26th, and forwarded for analysis to the County Laboratory, Maidstone.
| Result of Examination | On Agar at 37.5. C. | On Gelatine at Room Temperature in 2 days. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of organisms per c.c. capable of growth | 31 | Liquefying 27 | Total 50 |
McConkey and Bile Salts Glucose Broth.
| Number of Tests. | Acid and Gas. | Acid. | No Growth. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tubes of 0.01 c.c. water. | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 „ „ 0.1 „ | 0 | 2 | 8 |
| 10 „ „ 1.0 „ | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 ,, ,, 10.0 ,, ,, | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 ,, ,, 50.0 ,, ,, | 2 | 0 | 0 |
There does not seem to be any suggestion of pollution: it
appears to be one of those waters whose quality fluctuates a good
deal and, therefore, needs careful watching.
Yours faithfully,
CONSTANT PONDER.
Refuse Disposal.
There is a satisfactory system of collection in the town, in
most of the houses the refuse being collected once each week, and
during the hot weather twice weekly. The Council have a large
area of land on which to dispose of the refuse. In 1911 they purchased
theWhite Horse Brick-fields, on which there are large
hollows which require to be filled up. The lighter portions of the
refuse are burned. Should a destructor be decided on later, there
is ample room for one on this land.
During the year the Council authorised the distribution of
leaflets regarding the fly nuisance. The Chislehurst Urban District
Council was one of the first to recognise the danger of flies, and to
institute a campaign for their destruction. In January they communicated
with the County Council asking if they would co-operate
in any action to be taken for the purpose of reducing the number of
flies, and received a letter from Dr. A. Greenwood, the County
Medical Officer, in which ha stated he would draw up a list of suggestions
for furthering the campaign in Kent, and invite other
Councils in the County to join in any action taken.
The Chislehurst Urban Council have also taken steps to reduce
the number of rats in the district.