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
Erith 1936
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Erith]
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32
At the time of carrying out the Survey there were 182
unoccupied premises in the district.
General Observations.
For the past 5 years, an average of 400 to 450 houses have
been built every year by private enterprise.
The amount of overcrowding in this district cannot be described as extensive and at the 31st December, 1936, 57 of the 116 cases of overcrowding referred to above had been abated, as shown in the following table, leaving 59 cases still to be dealt with.
| Overcrowding abated by | No. of Cases |
|---|---|
| Removal of sub-tenants or lodgers | 17 |
| Reduction in number of members of family | 12 |
| Allocation of Council Houses | 4 |
| Removal of tenants to other and adequate premises, etc. | 13 |
| Marriage or death of an occupant | 9 |
| Premises demolished | 2 |
| 57 |
As far as the Housing (Overcrowding) Survey was concerned,
at the 31st December, 1936, there remained the matter of
issuing Permitted Numbers, recording and tabulating cases for
review, i.e., cases where premises will become overcrowded
during the course of time, or by reason of a child attaining
either the age of one or ten years; checking up and obtaining
particulars regarding newly-erected properties; and surveying
properties which are owned by the occupiers.
The Council are retaining the services of a Temporary
Clerk for the execution of these duties.
SECTION F.—INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION
OF FOOD.
Once again I have to report that the staff of the Public
Health Department continue to take keen interest in this
important branch of their work.
F(l). Meat.
Owing to the widespread situation of the slaughterhouses
in the district, and irregular times of slaughter the present
system of meat inspection leaves much to be desired. Supervision
by the inspectors, however, has been carried out
extensively during the year when 2 tons 4 cwts. 1 qr. 20 lbs.
of food was condemned as unfit for human consumption. No
legal action was taken by this Authority with regard to unsound
meat during the year.