London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

View report page

Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London

Woolwich 1946

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]

This page requires JavaScript

Text

Copy text to clipboard

10
SANITARY ADMINISTRATION.
Complaints. 4,431 complaints of nuisance were received and investigated.
The necessary action was taken where defects or nuisances were discovered.
Sanitary Inspection of the Area. During the year, 20,408 inspections,
including re-inspections, were carried out by the Sanitary Inspectors. The nature
of these inspections is shown in Table No. III, and details of nuisances abated are
given in Table No. IV. The number of intimation notices served as a result was
2,334, and the number of statutory notices, 715. In only 16 instances were legal
proceedings instituted.

Table: TABLE No. III. Inspections.

TABLE No. III. Inspections.

Complaints Investigated4,431Houses re Other Diseases144
Complaints Re-inspections5,592Aged and Infirm Persons248
Outworkers' Premises104Common Lodging Houses34
Houses Let in Lodgings11Tents and Vans19
Houses re Overcrowding568Factories167
New Houses re Water Supply625Shops Act12
Houses re Infectious Diseases569Food Premises1,003
Houses re Smallpox Contacts457Theatres and Cinemas10
Houses re Verminous Cases3,601Urinals Accessible to the Public115
Houses re Scabies Cases2,592Women's Lavatories..106

Table: TABLE No. IV. Nuisances Abated.

TABLE No. IV. Nuisances Abated.

Dirty Conditions489Defective Paving3
Damp Conditions1,445Drainage Defects1,037
Dilapidations1,421Water Closet Defects807
Verminous Rooms Cleansed988Dust Bins provided196
Defective Lighting157Water Supply Defects112
Defective Ventilation218Foul Accumulations removed22

Text

Copy text to clipboard

Water Supply. The Metropolitan Water Board is responsible for the water
supply for all domestic purposes in the Borough, all dwelling houses being supplied
direct from public water mains. There are a few wells in the Borough, used chiefly
for trade and kindred purposes. No complaints were received as to the quality or
purity of the water supply.