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 Woolwich]
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It is pleasing to record once again that, during the year, additional professional
qualifications were obtained by the following Inspectors:—
Advanced Inspectors' Certificate, Royal Sanitary Institute—
Mr. C. J. Couch.
Sanitary Science, Royal Sanitary Institute—
Mr. E. Lewis.
The work of the Inspectors is fully reported on in those parts of the Report
which deal with the sanitary inspection of the area, control of infectious disease,
inspection and supervision of the food supplies, and housing. During the year it
was necessary to second one of the district inspectors for special survey work in
connection with slum clearance problems. A general survey of the district was
carried out to enable a report to be prepared on such areas as could be dealt with
as unhealthy areas under the Housing Act, 1930, and in accordance with the
procedure prescribed therein some 18 small areas, numbering 187 houses in all,
were submitted to the London County Council as the Council's programme for the
next five years. One of these, a hutment area, was represented during the year.
During the year more attention was paid to the problem of bug infestation of
houses. The scheme described in my Annual Report for 1932 was in operation
the whole year and has given results which, so far as they go, appear highly
satisfactory, but much more research work is necessary before adequate steps can
be taken for the eradication of the bug from our midst. A report on the year's
work will be found in the Housing Section of the Report.
The registration of premises where Ice Cream is manufactured, stored or sold,
where sausages are manufactured, or where potted, pressed, pickled, or preserved
meat, fish, or other food is prepared, was continued during the year in accordance
with the powers given to the Council by the London County Council (General
Powers) Act, 1932. No such premises are placed on the registers until they comply
with the requirements of the Council.
During the year alterations in the Centre accommodation were made at North
Woolwich and at Plumstead.
At North Woolwich, owing to the re-organisation of the Baths, a portion of
the building became available for other purposes, and the Council decided to convert
this into a Maternity and Child Welfare Centre. The necessary alterations were
made and in June the new Centre was opened. Infant welfare centres are held
there weekly, the Medical Officer attending every alternate week, and an ante-natal
session is held once a month. Arrangements have been entered into with East
Ham Borough Council whereby the Centre is rented to that body on two afternoons