Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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46
Disinfection.
The premises disinfected numbered 1,048. The articles removed to the Borough
Council's Disinfecting Station totalled 10,650, and included 929 beds, 298 mattresses,
1,907 pillows, 491 bolsters and 7,025 other articles such as sheets, blankets,
quilts, curtains, carpets, clothing and the like.
Shelter.
It was not found necessary to remove any contacts to the Shelter which is
provided under Section 60, sub-section 4, of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891.
Venereal Diseases.
The London County Council is the authority responsible for the provision of
facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases and special clinics are held
in various voluntary hospitals and in other institutions. None of these are actually
within the boundaries of the Borough, but those of the Metropolitan, the London,
the Royal Free and University College Hospitals are readily accessible to the people
of Shoreditch. Lists of these centres are displayed in the Public Conveniences in
the Borough and can also be seen in the Health Department.
The times at which these clinics are open will be found on page 11 of this Report.
The London County Council also provides for doctors, laboratory facilities to
aid diagnosis, the supply of salvarsan and its substitutes, and courses of instruction
in modern methods of diagnosis and treatment. The County Council further coordinates
the work of hospitals, public health services and practitioners, and undertakes
publicity and propaganda work with regard to matters relating to venereal
disease.
Though the means for treatment are available, much educational work remains
to be done. Cases not infrequently come to the notice of the Department in which
patients recommended to one of these clinics discontinue treatment before they are
cured, thus running the gravest risk of disaster to themselves, of infecting their
wife or husband and of transmitting disease to their children.
The number of bacteriological examinations carried out on behalf of the Borough
Council in connection with the diagnosis of veneral disease during the past five years
is as follows:—
1930 79
1931 80
1932 37
1933 45
1934 36