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 Lewisham]
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have conveyed clothing to various homes on the Friday. We
immediately took possession of all clothing found on these
premises and submitted it to thorough disinfection. Prior to
April '20th the boy had delivered laundry to two houses, one of
which was outside our district. The owners were warned in
respect of this laundry.
Pawnbroking.—There was reason to believe that the
Days had pawned articles of clothing during the time their
premises were infected. The sanitary inspectors, with commendable
promptitude, discovered this suspicion to be wellfounded,
and secured four bundles of clothing pawned since
April 1st. These, together with parcels which had been in close
proximity, were readily handed over for disinfection, and were
returned to the pawnbroker.
Power to remove Contacts to Shelter.—Ruth Smith, who
was in close attendance upon Mrs. Pollard, at 56, Loampit Yale,
refused to enter the Shelter, as she had to support her mother. In
order to overcome this difficulty, and there being no legal power
to remove or detain her, I arranged to give her some work
while in the Shelter, paying her 10s. 6d. per week.
With regard to the man Pollard, his wife was dangerously
ill in Hospital, and on being notified of this by the Authorities,
he demanded to go and see her. He visited the Hospital each
day, afterwards returning to the shelter. His period of detention
in the Shelter was consequently increased.
Source of Infection.—Every effort was made to trace the
source of infection, but we were unable to obtain any distinct
evidence. For some time prior to his illness the boy Day had
been visiting the various docks in search of work, where, of
course, it is possible he may have contracted the disease.