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
Tottenham 1958
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Tottenham]
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37
Insect Pests
The bed bug is no longer the problem of years ago, but flies are still a
menace, particularly in food premises. The application of D.D.T. as an
insecticide continues but we must recognise the probability of immunity or
resistance being developed in the course of time.
371 inspections prior to removal to Council houses have been made on
notification by the Housing Manager, and disinfestation was required in
sixteen cases, the furniture being treated in a cyanide chamber.
Summary of Disinfestation Work
| Cause | Private Houses | Council Houses | Other Premises | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houses | Rooms | Houses | Rooms | Houses | Rooms | Others | ||
| Ants | 15 | - | - | - | - | 15 | - | - |
| Bugs | 62 | 136 | - | - | - | 62 | 136 | - |
| Cockroaches | 35 | 33 | - | - | 5 | 35 | 33 | 5 |
| Fleas | 16 | 27 | - | - | - | 16 | 27 | - |
| Flies | 5 | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | - | 1 |
| Red Mites | 6 | - | - | - | - | 6 | - | - |
| Wasps | 9 | - | - | - | - | 9 | - | - |
| Woodworm | 2 | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | - |
Inspections Carried out by the Public Health Inspectors
Appointments and Interviews 678
Cinemas and Halls 49
Complaints Investigated 3,337
Conveniences and Urinals 29
Drains defective 207
Drains tested 337
Factories with Mechanical Power 275
Factories without Mechanical Power 16
Food Poisoning 20