London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Chigwell 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Chigwell]
This page requires JavaScript
Summary of Nuisances.
| Drains blocked or defective | 105 |
| Defective water closets | 10 |
| Defective water supply pipes | 14 |
| Nuisance from animals | 8 |
| Polluted ditches and watercourses | 6 |
| Accumulation of refuse, fish boxes, etc. | 16 |
| Vermin, bugs and fleas | 6 |
| Cellars flooded | 6 |
| Fly infestations | 2 |
| Smells from animals, etc. | 12 |
| Cesspools overflowing or defective | 8 |
| Crickets | 10 |
| Wasps and hornets | 56 |
| Insanitary practices | 2 |
| 261 |
Verminous Houses.
6 houses were found to be verminous during the
year. These houses were fumigated with 'Thermatox'
and sprayed with 'Zaldecide' with satisfactory results.
Number of inspections and visits, 33.
Rats and Mice Destruction Acts.
There was again a rise in the number of complaints.
1751 visits were made and energetic action
taken to exterminate the rodents by means of gassing
with 'Cymag' gas, baiting with red squill, arsenic, zinc
phosphide and by trapping.
There is no serious infestation, but the presence
of rats and mice is still being reported from all over
the district particularly where houses are situated near
open spaces such as farm and forest land.
Baiting and poisoning of the Council's sewers is
carried out twice yearly.
16