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
Orpington 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Orpington]
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37
ORPINGTON URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL.
Report of Chief Sanitary Inspector.
Gentlemen,
I have pleasure in presenting my Annual lleport for the
year ended 31st December, 1938.
Nuisances. Public Health, Housing1, etc. Acts. The
number of premises inspected during the year for the detection
of nuisances, etc. was 504, and 1537 inspections and revisits
were made thereto.
Nuisances as follows, numbering 292, were discovered at 208 premises:—
| Defective and damp houses | 115 |
| Defective drainage and appurtenances | 54 |
| Defective refuse receptacles | 47 |
| Defective or overflowing cesspools | 23 |
| Offensive accumulations | 11 |
| Inadequate or inefficient water supplies | 16 |
| Verminous houses | 4 |
| Keeping of animals | 1 |
| Tents, Yans and Sheds | 2 |
| Rat Infestations | 19 |
247 Informal Notices were served on Owners or Occupiers
in connection with the existence of nuisances, and in five
instances only was it necessary to follow with the service of
Statutory Notices, the latter being complied with without
having* to resort to legal proceedings.
| Scarlet Fever | 61 |
| Diphtheria | 21 |
| Typhoid Fever | 6 |
| Measles | 1 |
| Tuberculosis | 13 |
| Cancer | 5 |
| Impetigo | 2 |
The method employed in connection with the above, as in
former years, was the use of formaldehyde, both as a spray and
in gaseous form.
Eleven batches of bedding were also steam disinfected with
the assistance of a neighbouring Authority.
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919. The number of
visits paid during the year in connection with infested premises
was 152, and where the existence of the vermin was proved,
advice and assistance on methods of disinfestation was given and
the necessary steps were taken by the Occupiers of the premises
concerned.