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
Richmond upon Thames 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond upon Thames]
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The complaints received during the year are classified in the table below and they reflect a pattern similar to that of previous years.
| Nature of Complaint. | Number Received |
|---|---|
| Housing Defects | 409 |
| Choked and defective drains and sewers | 792 |
| Defective water closets | 148 |
| Accumulations of offensive matter | 263 |
| Unsound food | 111 |
| Verminous and other Infested premises : | |
| (a) Bugs | 50 |
| (b) Rats and Mice | 1360 |
| (c) Wasps | 588 |
| (d) Fleas | 103 |
| (e) Others | 167 |
| Keeping of Animals | 19 |
| Nuisance from Pigeons | 34 |
| Smoke Nuisances | 107 |
| Noise Nuisances | 73 |
| Fumigation of Rooms | 14 |
| Miscellaneous | 331 |
| Condemned Food | 120 |
| Total | 4689 |
Every effort is made by inspectors to carry out their work through informal action, and to seek co'operation by interview and letter; in certain cases recourse to statutory proceedings is unavoidable, and a summary of notices served during the year is given below:
| Subject of Notice. | Public Health Act. | Food and Drugs Act. |
| Number of Informal Notices served | 318 | 147 |
| Number of Informal Notices complied with | 177 | 97 |
| Number of Statutory Notices served | 86 | _ |
| Number of Statutory Notices complied with | 66 | — |
6. DISINFECTION AND DISINFESTATION
After the occurrence of an infectious disease, pi^mises and articles therein can
be disinfected free of charge and in cases other than infectious disease on payment by
the individual.
Disinfestation work to eradicate bed bugs, fleas, etc., is paid for by the individual
and is not a charge on the Council.
A complaint was received from the occupier of a single bed-room, self contained
flat, regarding "white ants" that were biting her during the night. Upon investigation
it was found that these insects were martin bugs, and the centre of the infestation was
the bed and pillows. Spray treatment was carried out and no further complaint was
received.
These insects are akin to the bed bug, but smaller and lighter in colour, and are
usually found in association with house-martin or swallow nests. When the birds
migrate during the late summer months the bugs left behind search for other hosts.
This particular flat is on the first floor of a block of three storeys. The roof is of
flat construction with a parapet wall, and there is no place for birds to nest. None of
the other residents in the block have reported similar infestations. Outside the bed'
room window there is a large tree, and some experts believe that the birds disinfest
themselves on trees before migration, and it is possible that some bugs may have gained
access to the flat from this tree.
Persons suffering from scabies or infested with lice are taken, with their bedding,
to Hammersmith Medical Baths for cleansing, and I am indebted to Dr. A. D. C. S.
Cameron, Medical Officer of Health and Director of Social Services of the London
78