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 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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34
Two applications for permission to commence the trade
of fish frying were considered during the year. One application
was granted, but the other one was refused on the
ground that ample provision to meet the public demand
already existed in the neighbourhood.
Thirty-seven visits were made to offensive trade premises
during 1931. These visits were in addition to re-inspections
after notices or warnings.
One hundred and ninety-five complaints were received during the year, as follows:—
| Drains and sanitary arrangements | 41 |
| Overcrowding | 9 |
| Condition of premises | 69 |
| Absence of ashbins | 3 |
| Accumulations of manure and non-collection of house refuse | 5 |
| Defective rain water pipes | 1 |
| Dampness and defective roofs, gutters, etc. | 21 |
| Smoke nuisance from chimneys | 4 |
| Obstruction of light to living room | 1 |
| Defective stoves and coppers | 7 |
| Rats | 6 |
| Water supply | 3 |
| Defective service water pipe | 3 |
| Condition of ditch | 1 |
| Keeping of animals and fowls | 5 |
| Unpaved yards and passages | 1 |
| Flooding of basement | 2 |
| Nuisance from flies | 1 |
| Miscellaneous | 12 |
| 195 |
The complaints were investigated as early as possible
and, where the Corporation possessed powers to intervene,
immediate steps were taken to remove the cause of the complaint.
The number of complaints during 1930 was 167. The
slight increase in the number of complaints was probably
due to the abnormally wet period, with consequent additional
defects becoming apparent.