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
Ealing 1967
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ealing]
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24. GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH MEASURES
Nuisances and complaints
During the year, 5,492 complaints were received, the main categories of complaint being as follows:-
| Housing defects | 1,097 |
| Dustbins and refuse | 482 |
| Drainage | 761 |
| Animals, etc. | 141 |
| Insects and wasps | 438 |
| Food | 300 |
| Smoke emissions and bonfires | 172 |
| Overcrowding and multiple occupation | 125 |
| Noise | 105 |
| Rats and mice | 1,506 |
| Miscellaneous | 365 |
| 5,492 |
Action taken as a result of complaints resulted in 4,604 inspections of premises
of all types and the service of 2,746 informal notices under the Public Health Acts
and allied legislation. This informal action generally brought a satisfactory response
and most requirements of the notices were dealt with in a reasonable time by the
persons responsible. It was necessary, however, to serve 551 statutory notices in
cases where action to remedy defects was not readily forthcoming ana in the case of
11 premises, legal proceedings were taken. Of these 11 cases, one was conditionally
discharged, in two cases the work was completed by the date of the hearing, and
Nuisance Orders were made in the remaining eight cases. Total costs payable to the
Council amounted to £61. 19s. 0d. A total of 3,369 repairs and improvements were
carried out as a result of informal and formal action under the Public Health and
Housing Acts. The most numerous items involved were the cleansing and repair of
1,084 drains and water closets, abatement of dampness in 306 cases, the removal of
197 accumulations of refuse and the repair of 302 walls and ceilings, and 287 roofs.
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