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

Bromley 1946

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bromley]

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44
SECTION E. HOUSING.
Table XIII in the appendix gives housing statistics for the
year, and treats exclusively of structural and all other defects
to the fabric of houses.
Tables XIV and XV includes (inter alia) full details of
inspections and abatements of environmental housing defects,
and the following tabulations summarise the housing figures of
these tables.

Table: Inspections and Abatements.

Inspections and Abatements.

Housing InspectionsOn ComplaintRoutineRe-inspectionsTotals
Nuisances30336330346130
Overcrowding6——6
Verminous conditions14—2135
Dirty conditions7—1724
Water supply—1—1
Disinfestation114419
Noxious accumulation11—617
Re-housing enquiries26127613550
334334430956782

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Housing nuisances and defects found, 3,888.
Housing nuisances and defects remedied, 2,418.
On housing inspections alone the 'Chief Sanitary Inspector
and district inspectors have had a heavy year of inspection. The
total of housing inspections for 1946 exceeds the figure for
1945 by over 3,000. Defects found and remedied have increased.

Table: The 2,418 defects abated, are classified as follows:

The 2,418 defects abated, are classified as follows:

Drainage548
Dampness519
Plastering167
Cleansing walls and ceilings (rooms)122
Floors93
Windows139
Cooking facilities improved80
Water supply355
Refuse bins84
Other items311
2418

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It is noteworthy that during 1946 no less than 3,343 housing
complaints have been lodged with the Department—an indication
of the confidence with which the public make direct contact
with the health officers regarding the difficulties affecting their
environmental conditions.