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
Wimbledon 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]
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SECTION C. —
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA.
Water Supply.
The Metropolitan Water Board is responsible for the water supply
of the Borough and regular periodical examinations are made by them.
The supply in 1946 was satisfactory both in quality and quantity.
All the dwelling houses in Wimbledon are supplied from public
water mains direct to the houses.
During the year two samples of water were taken from the
Swimming Baths for bacteriological examination and a further two
samples for chemical examination. The results of these samples showed
the water to be both bacteriologically and chemically pure.
Six samples of water were taken for bacteriological examination
from Wimbledon Park Lake. The result of these samples showed
that the water was grossly contaminated. The Council consequently
decided not to proceed with the proposal to establish outdoor swimming
facilities in this lake.
Sanitary Inspection of District.
The following is a statement showing the number and nature of inspections made during 1946:'—
| Infectious Diseases | 1,257 |
| House Inspections | 7,540 |
| Inspections under Housing Act, 1936, Part IV | 499 |
| House to House Inspections | 274 |
| Inspections of Factories, Workplaces and Outworkers' premises | 139 |
| Dairies and Cowsheds Inspections | 58 |
| Inspections under Shops Act | 30 |
| Applications of Test to Drains | 97 |
| Inspections under Diseases of Animals Act | 16 |
| Obtaining samples of Food and Drugs | 154 |
| Miscellaneous (including inspections of food, slaughter-houses, mews, stables, caravans, | |
| Petroleum Acts, water supply, piggeries, etc.) | 4,208 |
| Total | 14,292 |
Notices Served.
Two thousand, six hundred and seven preliminary notices or
intimations were served during the year.
It was found necessary to serve two hundred and twenty one
statutory notices.
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