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
Walthamstow 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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20
SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE AREA
During the greater part of the year the inspectorate was one
below full strength owing to resignations and sickness.
Mr. F. W. Kemp, Chief Sanitary Inspector, reports as follows:—
| No. of inspections made. | No. of nuisances detected. | No. of complaints received. | No. of Informal Notices | No. of Statutory Notices. | Total Visits. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Served. | Complied with. | Served. | Complied with. | ||||
| 11,654 | 9,130 | 3,962 | 2,852 | 2,826 | 318 | 266 | 22,802 |
Of the 2,852 intimation notices served during the year, 88 were
in respect of business premises, and of the 2,764 relating to the
defects in houses, 2,450 were complied with without resort to
statutory procedure.
Owing to the failure of owners to carry out certain Statutory
Notices, served under Section 9 of the Housing Act, 1936, the
Council undertook the necessary work to five houses at a cost of
£65 9s. 4d.
It was found necessary to institute legal proceedings against 24
owners for non-compliance with Abatement Notices served under
Section 93 of the Public Health Act, 1936. Orders were made by
the Magistrates in eleven cases and Penalties or Costs were inflicted.
In the remaining thirteen cases the Summons were withdrawn on
payment of costs, the work having been commenced before the
hearing.
The nature and variety of the work executed in 1947 is shown
in the following tables:—
Drains tested, 480; Drains reconstructed or repaired, 678;
Drains, obstructions removed, 393; Drains, means of access
provided, 49; Drains, ventilation provided or improved, 73;
Drains, ventilation repaired, 89; Soil pipes repaired or renewed,
32; Rain water pipes renewed, 301; Rain water
pipes disconnected from drains, 4; Roofs repaired or renewed,
939; Gutterings repaired or renewed, 554; W.C.
pans or traps provided, 525; Gully traps provided, 113; W.C.
flush cisterns repaired or renewed, 296; W.C. floors concreted,
52; W.C.s repaired and cleansed, 217; W.C.s light and ventilation
improved, 12; Waste pipes repaired, renewed or trapped,
237; New sinks provided, 97; Water supply re-instated, 23;
Water supply taken off main, 27; Cisterns cleansed and covered,
28; Sculleries paved, 35; Yards and forecourts paved and
repaired, 83; Dirty houses cleansed, 12; Dirty floors cleansed,