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
Woolwich 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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11
SANITARY ADMINISTRATION.
Complaints. 5,261 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, 26,784 inspections,
including re-inspections, were carried out by the Sanitary Inspectors. The nature
of these inspections is shown in Table No. 3, and details of nuisances abated are
given in Table No. 4. The number of intimation notices served as a result was
3,084, and the number of statutory notices, 1,087. In only 23 instances were
legal proceedings found to be necessary.
TABLE No. 3. Inspections.
| Complaints Investigated | 5,261 | Aged and Infirm Persons | 567 |
| Complaints | 6,450 | Common Lodging Houses | 38 |
| Outworkers' Premises | 127 | Tents and Vans | 16 |
| Houses Let in Lodgings | 320 | Factories | 392 |
| Houses re Overcrowding | 1,152 | Shops Act | 254 |
| New Houses re Water Supply | 733 | Food Premises | 3,234 |
| Houses re Infectious Diseases | 454 | Theatres and Cinemas | 22 |
| Houses re Smallpox Contacts | 2 | Urinals Accessible to the public | 212 |
| Houses re Verminous Cases .. | 3,493 | Women's Lavatories | 154 |
| Houses re Scabies Cases | 697 | Miscellaneous | 3,122 |
| Houses re Other Diseases | 84 |
TABLE No. 4. Nuisances Abated.
| Dirty Conditions | 614 | Drainage Defects | 1,363 |
| Damp Conditions | 2,143 | Water Closet Defects | 2,272 |
| Dilapidations | 2,330 | Dust Bins provided | 223 |
| Verminous Rooms Cleansed | 947 | Water Supply Defects | 213 |
| Defective Lighting | 232 | Foul Accumulations removed | 42 |
| Defective Ventilation | 269 | Miscellaneous | 27 |
| Defective Paving | 171 |
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.
Nine specimens were bacteriologically examined as a precautionary measure
when the supply to North Woolwich was affected by flooding of Metropolitan
Water Board pumping station.
During the year a special investigation of the deep wells in the Borough was
undertaken. There are seven still in use, but none for ordinary domestic purposes.