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

Barnet 1914

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barnet UDC]

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Table: The following table shows the nature and number of the complaints in which action was taken:—

The following table shows the nature and number of the complaints in which action was taken:—

NATURE OF COMPLAINT.No.
Choked condition of drains2
Defective drains16
Dilapidated paving of yards2
Absence of paving3
Defective and obsolete water closet cisterns1
Non-removal of house refuse5
Offensive accumulations20
Nuisance from smoke1
Houses not provided with dust receptacle12
Damp walls3
Defective roofs1
Overcrowded houses3
Dirty houses2
Insanitary condition of premises6
Offensive public-house urinals1
Defective water-closets6
Fowls improperly kept5
Defective eaves and down spouting19
Miscellaneous14
Total122

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MEAT INSPECTION.
Visits have constantly been paid to the Slaughter Houses
in order to see that the meat supply is wholesome and free
from disease.
On one occasion my attention was called to the carcases
of three pigs. Upon examination I noticed external signs of
Swine Fever. The entrails had been thrown into the manure
barrel, but fortunately I was able to recover them. These
exhibited on their internal surfaces characteristic lesions and
enteritis.
Necrosis of the tissue was present in the cœcum and round
the ileo-cœcal valve and there were small ulcers in the colon.
Some of the necrotic patches showed the typical black centre.
I was satisfied that it was swine fever, and accordingly
informed the local Inspector under the Contagious Diseases
(Animals) Act, who wired to the Board of Agriculture.
The Board sent an Inspector down, who took away portions
of the intestines for examination in the Government Laboratories.
This examination confirmed my diagnosis.