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21
PUBLIC MORTUARY.
The bodies of 132 persons were deposited in the mortuary and inquests were
held in 114 instances. In all cases where there were inquests post-mortem examinations
were made, 63 of these at the mortuary. No infectious bodies were removed
to the mortuary by the sanitary authority.
WATER SUPPLY.
The Meteorological Table for London deduced from observations at Greenwich,
under the Astronomer Royal, issued by the Registrar General for 1926, shows a
rainfall for the year amounting to 28T35 inches, which is above the average. Most
rain fell in November and least in March.
In accordance with Section 49 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, communications
were received from the Metropolitan Water Board as to water supplies
being cut off in respect to seven premises: in three instances on account of nonpayments
of rates, in two on account of demolition, in one for waste on empty premises,
and in one because water was not required.
Water was laid on to some 48 new premises and in 18 instances additional taps
were provided in tenement houses.
No complaints were received as to the quality of the water and there was no
reason for suspecting the occurrence of any illness due to the water supplied.
MUNICIPAL DENTAL HOSPITAL.
The Health Committee recognising that the care of the teeth is a matter of prime
importance as regards the health of the individual and consequently of the health of
the community of which the individual is a unit, decided to recommend the Borough
Council to establish an institution for the care of the teeth of those who live or work
in Shoreditch. Towards the close of the year the recommendation was adopted by
the Borough Council and steps were taken by the Health Committee to give effect
to the same. An account of the procedure adopted does not fall within the scope
of this year's report, but it may be mentioned that the scheme included acquiring
premises in a commanding situation for a surgery, waiting and recovery rooms,
workshop and quarters for a resident caretaker. The staff to be appointed included
a part-time dental surgeon, an anaesthetist, a mechanic and a trained hospital nurse.
A scale of fees is to be arranged and there is to be no restriction as to anyone availing
himself of the use of the institution so long as he is connected with the Borough. Such
is a brief outline of the project which was duly given effect to, and within four months
of the close of the year under consideration the Borough of Shoreditch Municipal
Dental Hospital opened its doors to the public.
SANITARY WORK.
Intimations as to insanitary conditions were served in respect to 6,213 premises,
In 602 they were dealt with by Inspector Wright, in 640 by Inspector Chapman.
515 Inspector Sickelmore, 485 Inspector Thomas, 344 Inspector Shaw, 717 Inspector