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
Willesden 1936
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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| Overcrowding (under Public Health Acts) | 4 |
| Smoke | 15 |
| Accumulations of refuse | 83 |
| Foul ditches, ponds, etc, and stagnant water | 7 |
| Fowls, pigs, and other animals | 4 |
| Dampness | 1,055 |
| Yards and forecourts paved, repaved or repaired | 761 |
| Walls and ceilings cleansed | 6,106 |
| Verminous rooms purified | 395 |
| Leaky roofs made watertight | 980 |
| Additional ventilation provided under floors | 244 |
| Dilapidated plaster repaired | 2,219 |
| Flooring and other woodwork repaired | 2,140 |
| Damp-proof courses inserted | 184 |
| Water supply reinstated | 60 |
| Washhouse floors repaired or repaved | 235 |
| Fireplaces and stoves repaired | 961 |
| Decayed brickwork repaired and repointed | 583 |
| Sinks provided or replaced | 269 |
| Additional light and ventilation provided to staircases | 69 |
| Larders or food cupboards provided or ventilated | 249 |
| Gutters and rainwater pipes repaired or renewed | 787 |
| New sash cords and glass provided to windows | 2,824 |
| Miscellaneous | 1,538 |
| Total number of Nuisances abated | 25,206 |
| Butchers', Provision, and General shops | 670 |
| Fish shops (wet, dried and fried) | 281 |
| Eating houses | 66 |
| Greengrocers' shops | 252 |
| Ice-cream premises | 50 |
| Stalk | 325 |
Canal Boats Acts, 1877-1884.—The number of boats inspected during the year 1936 was
12 (15 inspections).
No contraventions of the Regulations were found.
No legal proceedings were taken during the year.
The Corporation of Willesden is not a Registration Authority.
Offensive Trades.—There are 6 Rag and Bone Dealers carrying on this business in the
district, all complying with the Bye-laws.
Bye-laws relating to Houses Let in Lodgings.—Bye-laws were made by the Urban
District Council of Willesden with respect to houses intended or used for occupation by the working
classes and let in lodgings or occupied by members of more than one family, on the 26th July, 1927.
These were allowed by the Minister of Health on 18th April, 1928.
Underground Rooms.—There are approximately 1,228 houses in Willesden with basement
rooms coming under the amended definition of " underground rooms." These 1,228 houses contain
2,016 basement rooms. Of these 2,016 rooms, 125 rooms have been made to comply with the basement
regulations, 1,270 can be made to comply with the basement regulations, 348 rooms cannot be
made to comply and 273 rooms are being used as stores.
Disposal of the Dead.—The Council at present own a cemetery within the district and it is
estimated that a further 6,463 grave spaces could be laid out before that cemetery is full; the average
number of burials therein annually for the past ten years has been approximately 1,464. The Council
realising that the accommodation of their present cemetery will within a few years be exhausted,
purchased a site in 1929 in the Kingsbury Urban District, now the Wembley Urban District, practically
abutting on the north-western boundary of the district.
There are two Jewish cemeteries situate in the district, one in Beaconsfield Road and another
in Pound Lane, and it is estimated there are sufficient grave spaces to last approximately 30 and 65
years respectively before these cemeteries are full.
Schools.—The whole of the schools in Willesden have a good and sufficient water supply
and sanitary accommodation.
Rag Flock Acts, 1911-28.—There are no premises in the district on which rag flock is manufactured,
and no sampling under these Acts has been carried out during the year.