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
Kingston upon Thames 1923
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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12
Sanitary Administration.
The Veterinary Surgeon, Mr. Edwards, inspected the
Cowsheds with me at intervals, and on the whole we found
the conditions satisfactory.
The Sale of Food and Drugs Acts are administered bv the Surrey County Council, and the following table shows action taken in the Borough during the year
| Articles. | Analysed. | Adulterated or Deteriorated. | Prosecutions | Convictions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formal | Informal | Total | Formal | Informal | Totals | |||
| Milk | 137 | 1 | 138 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| Cream (preserved) | 1 | — | 1 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Flour | 4 | — | 4 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Cocoa | 11 | 2 | 13 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — |
| Confectionery and Jam | - | 4 | 4 | - | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| Spirits | 3 | 5 | 8 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| Other Articles | 1 | 27 | 28 | — | 4 | 4 | — | — |
| Totals | 157 | 39 | 196 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 3 | 2 |
Housing.
Details of Housing Inspection are to be found in the
Annual Report of the Sanitary Inspector, and I am in
agreement with his conclusions.
I am of opinion that one of the many causes conducive
to overcrowding of artisan and working class dwellings,
is the fact that young girls, who ordinarily should reside
away from home in domestic service, now prefer to sleep
at home.
It is difficult to understand this preference, but the
resulting unhealthy and overcrowded conditions are lost
sight of by both parents and daughters.
I feel sure that in a residential district such as Kingston,
there are many spare bedrooms to-day which were originally
occupied by maids.
To prevent duplication, other action taken under the
Public Health Acts or Bye-Laws, the condition of Slaughterhouses,
Disinfection, Housing, etc., are included in the
Annual Report of the Sanitary Inspector.