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 1951
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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Drainage and Sewerage
| Repaired, supplied with water or otherwise improved | 572 | 627 |
| New closets built | 9 | 26 |
| Provided with better ventilation | 4 | 11 |
| Examined, tested, exposed, etc. | 329 | 495 |
| Unstopped, repaired, trapped, etc. | 441 | 547 |
| New soil pipes or vent shafts fixed | 19 | 59 |
| Disconnecting traps or chambers inserted | 29 | 61 |
| Reconstructed | 32 | 39 |
| New manhole covers | 68 | 94 |
| Soil pipes or vent shafts repaired | 157 | 201 |
| Other Defects | ||
| Smoke nuisances | 13 | 13 |
| Accumulation of refuse | 99 | 124 |
| Foul ditches, ponds, etc., and stagnant water | 2 | 5 |
| Fowls, pigs, etc., kept in an insanitary condition | 10 | 20 |
| Dampness | 1633 | 2108 |
| Yard and forecourts paved, repaved or repaired | 284 | 265 |
| Walls and ceilings cleansed | 4764 | 6995 |
| Verminous rooms disinfested | 220 | 458 |
| Leaky roof made watertight | 1775 | 2013 |
| Additional ventilation provided under floors | 123 | 139 |
| Dilapidated plaster repaired | 3853 | 5593 |
| Flooring and other woodwork repaired | 1468 | 2625 |
| Damp proof courses inserted | 60 | 97 |
| Water supply reinstated | 33 | 59 |
| Wash-house floors repaired or repaved | 40 | 66 |
| Fireplaces and stoves repaired | 1045 | 1347 |
| Decayed brickwork repaired and repointed | 622 | 779 |
| Sinks provided or replaced | 196 | 182 |
| Additional light and ventilation provided to staircase | 8 | 11 |
| Larders or food cupboards ventilated or provided | 11 | 21 |
| Gutters and/or rainwater pipes repaired or renewed | 1286 | 1655 |
| New sashcords and glass provided to doors and windows | 2705 | 3954 |
| Miscellaneous | 810 | 997 |
| Total nuisances abated | 22880 | 31867 |
Periodic Inspections of Other Premises
| 1951 | 1950 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. inspected | Inspections made | No. inspected | Inspections made | |
| Slaughterhouses (1 registered but not in use) | — | — | 1 | 10 |
| Common lodging houses | 1 | 22 | 1 | 45 |
| Offensive trades | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Factories—with mechanical power | 598 | 729 | 796 | 851 |
| Notices served | 83 | 181 | ||
| Without mechanical power | 81 | 104 | 78 | 153 |
| Notices served | 16 | 31 | ||
| Workplaces—other than out-workers | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
| Notices served | 2 | 3 | ||
| Home workers and outworkers | 351 | 355 | 208 | 210 |
| Inspection of food premises (includes re-visits) | ||||
| Baker | 38 | 244 | 38 | 256 |
| Bread and confectionery | 38 | 279 | 38 | 209 |
| Dairy | 13 | 122 | 13 | 116 |
| Butcher | 114 | 792 | 114 | 744 |
| Grocer and general store | 315 | 1342 | 315 | 1745 |
| Fishmonger and fish-fryer | 61 | 442 | 61 | 435 |
| Cafe and restaurant | 149 | 925 | 150 | 1139 |
| Greengrocer and fruiterer | 126 | 808 | 127 | 710 |
| Ice cream and sweet shop | 181 | 695 | 181 | 748 |
| Food stall | 19 | 110 | 22 | 162 |
| Public house | 44 | 126 | 44 | 151 |
| Works canteen | 110 | 483 | 110 | 125 |
| Food factory | 14 | 172 | 14 | 136 |
| Any other food premises | 25 | 124 | 26 | 87 |
| Total periodic inspections | 2293 | 7891 | 2351 | 8046 |