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 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Orpington]
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11
During the year 49 samples of water were examined bacteriologically,
and all proved satisfactory. Four chemical analyses of water,
other than that obtained from the Board's mains, which were used for
drinking purposes were made, of which one proved to be of excellent
quality. In the other three cases, one proved to be of fair quality
which should be boiled before use, and the remaining two were unsatisfactory
and unfit for drinking purposes.
PUBLIC CLEANSING.
The collection of house refuse throughout the District is carried
out by direct labour. The refuse is disposed of by controlled tipping.
The frequency of the collection showed some improvement at the
end of the yeUr.
Every effort is being made towards effecting a weekly collection
of house refuse in the Northern Area, and reverting to the pre-War
frequency of fourteen days in the Southern rural area.
CESSPOOL EMPTYING.
The emptying of cesspools is carried out as circumstances permit.
| (1) (a) Total number of houses inspected for housing defects (under Public Health or Housing Acts) | 937 |
| (b) Number of inspections made for the purpose | 2294 |
| (2) (a) Number of dwelling houses (included under subhead (1) above) which were inspected and recorded under the Housing Consolidated Regulations, 1925 | — |
| (b) Number of inspections made for the purpose | — |
| (3) Number of dwelling houses found to be in a state so dangerous or injurious to health as to be unfit, for human habitation | — |
| (4) Number of dwelling houses (exclusive of those referred to under the preceding sub-head) found not to be in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation | 324 |
| Number of defective dwelling houses rendered fit in consequence of informal action by the Local Authority or their Officers | 269 |