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
Crayford 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Crayford]
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Sea Walls
470 sq yds of damaged ragstone revetment has been repaired on Crayford
Creek and Crayfordness 8.300 brushwood faggots have been placed along the banks
of Crayford and Dartford Creeks as protection against erosion
Closet Accommodation
Approximate number of premises containing each type of sanitary convenience in the district -
| W.Cs into drainage system, approximately | 12, 755 |
| W Cs into cesspools | 16 |
| Number of premises not connected to public water supplies | Nil |
Refuse Collection, A seven day collection of refuse was maintained under the same
system as previously Refuse is now being tipped in the area of land south-east
of Bridge Road
Nuisances and Defects remedied during the year -
| Sanitary accommodation defective Drainage: | 8 |
| (i) repaired | 15 |
| (ii) unstopped, etc. | 84 |
| Refuse receptacles | 4 |
| Roofs and rainwater pipes | 25 |
| Chimney stacks and pots repaired or renewed | 3 |
| Fireplaces, grates and stoves repaired or improved | 2 |
| Floors, walls and ceilings repaired or renewed | 51 |
| Rooms cleaned | 1 |
| Water supplies | 4 |
| Doors and other woodwork | 9 |
| Offensive accumulations removed | 9 |
| Other defects | 120 |
Control of Rodents and other Pests
217 complaints in respect of rats and mice infestations were received and
fully investigated. Twice during the year the foul water system was treated for
rats. A new departure from the usual practice was adopted to expedite Sewer
Treatment procedure For some time past difficulty had been experienced in raising
a number of manhole covers. Assistance and co-operation from the Engineer and
Surveyor enabled additional labour lifting mechanisms and motor transport to be
made available which greatly facilitated operations. Sewer infestation remains
remarkably low Other pest infestations dealt with were as follows:
25