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
Carshalton 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Carshalton]
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In the twelve years that the Cleansing Station has been in existence
the use made of it has progressively declined and this reduced activity
is a reflection of the falling incidence of vermin infestation in the district.
The factor to which the Cleansing Station owed its origin was the
sudden and significant rise in 1941 in the incidence of scabies which
arose out of the difficulties in maintaining adequate domestic hygiene
under war-time conditions. During the three war years 1942/44 more
than 1,000 individuals were treated each year at the Cleansing Station.
After the war the numbers fell progressively until 1952 when only 7
persons were treated for scabies and 40 for pediculosis.
During the year, one lot of verminous bedding was stoved and 71 premises were treated for the destruction of vermin and insect pests as follows:
| Infestation. | Sprayed by C.U.D.C. | Sprayed by L.C.C. | Sprayed by Owners. | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C.U.D.C. Property | S.C.C. Property | Privately Owned Property | L.C.C. Property | Privately Owned Property | ||
| Ants | 1 | - | 1 | - | - | 2 |
| Bugs | 7 | — | 3 | 2 | - | 13 |
| Fleas | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Flies | - | 7 | - | - | - | 7 |
| Wasps | 5 | - | 43 | — | — | 48 |
| 14 | 7 | 47 | 2 | — | 71 | |
Incoming tenants of Council houses as well as vacated Council
premises are visited by the Sanitary Inspectors before letting is effected
to ensure that verminous families are not admitted to clean houses
and vice versa.
Smoke Abatement
Thirty-two complaints were received and dealt with during the year.
Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949
Under the direction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries the
work of rodent destruction was continued throughout the year.
Eight thousand five hundred and sixteen visits were made
concerning 2,010 properties and 205 rat and mouse infestations found.
Of that number 246 were found in private premises, 15 in business
premises, 4 in Council premises.
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