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
Shoreditch 1907
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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No complaints were received of a serious character in respect to the measures as to
disinfection. In one instance a quilt was damaged, for which compensation was paid.
Disinfection is carried out by the Sanitary Authority after all cases of notifiable
infectious disease except erysipelas. In the case of erysipelas disinfection is carried
out by the Sanitary Authority if called upon to do so. Disinfection is also performed
after measles and after phthisis or consumption if the Sanitary Authority are so
permitted.
THE SHELTER.
The following are the particulars as to the use of the shelter during 1907:—
| Date of Admission to Shelter. | Length of Slay therein. | Number of Persons. | Address from which the persons were admitted. | Disease. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 3 | 1 Day | 2 | 21, Salisbury Street | Smallpox |
| March 22 | ½ Day | 2 | 65, Newton Street | Scarlet Fever |
| August 1 | 1 Night | 2 | 251, Hoxton Street | Diphtheria |
Altogether six persons used the shelter on account of infectious disease. Once
during the year a family of seven persons had the use of the baths at the shelter for
purposes under the Cleansing of Persons Act.
PUBLIC MORTUARY.
During 1907 the dead bodies received into the public mortuary, which is situate
in the rear of Shoreditch Church, numbered 349, as compared with 405 in 1906,
417 in 1905, and 460 in 1904. The bodies of three persons dead of infectious
disease were removed to the mortuary by the Sanitary Authority, as compared with
5 in 1906, and 3 in 1905. A specially constructed and ventilated iron shell has been
provided for the reception of infectious or offensive bodies. The marked falling
off in the number of bodies deposited in the mortuary during the year under
consideration probably resulted to a large extent from the absence of prolonged hot
weather during the summer. Bodies which would otherwise have been removed to
the mortuary to await burial were retained at home.
The inquests held numbered 298, as compared with 295 in 1906, 290 in 1905,
and 336 in 1904. The post-mortem examinations made in the post-mortem room
at the mortuary numbered 229, as compared with 226 in 1906, 223 in 1905, and
251 in 1904. The figures as to the use of the mortuary in years previous to 1904
are contained in the annual report for 1903.
WATER SUPPLY.
The rainfall for the year measured at Oxford amounted to 27 inches. Taking
the mean rainfall for 35 years, there was an excess of about 1 inch. The last quarter