Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]
This page requires JavaScript
Drainage Work. At 12 houses the drainage systems were
entirely reconstructed and at 57 houses extensive repairs to
drains were carried out. Smoke and water tests were applied to
the drains of houses in 121 instances, and obstructions were
removed from drains at 75 houses. There was a considerable
increase in the amount of maintenance work carried out by the
Council in connection with defective public sewers—this was
mainly due to damage caused by enemy action.
Food Supply. The total number of inspections made to
premises where articles of food are prepared or exposed for sale
was 1,139. The work involved in connection with the supervision
and inspection of food supplies and food premises continues
to increase. At a number of premises, improvements in sanitary
conditions were effected.
Unsound Food. The undermentioned articles of food were found, upon inspection, to be unfit for human consumption; were surrendered and either destroyed or disposed of for animal feeding or salvage:—
Description. | Amount. | Cause. | |
---|---|---|---|
Beef | 865-½ | lbs. | Putrefaction and decomposition |
Sweets | 80 | lbs. | Glass splinters |
Mixed Pickles | 4 | jars | Broken and mouldy |
Fish | 343½ | stone | Decomposed, putrefied and unsound |
Rabbits | 60 | lbs. | Decomposition |
Australian Crayfish | 30 | lbs. | Unsound |
Potatoes | 18 | cwts. | Rotten |
Dried Egg Powder | 4 | pkts. | Mouldy |
Oranges | 73 | lbs. | Rotten |
Shell Eggs | 36 | Rotten | |
Bacon | 2 | stone | Decomposition |
Lamb | 6 | lbs. | Decomposition |
Tripe | 1,135 | lbs. | Decomposition |
Orange Squash | 1 | bottle | Rancid |
Sauce | 1 | bottle | Broken |
Preserved Plums | 1 | bottle | Mouldy |
Bottled Gherkins | 17 | lbs. | Mouldy |
Cod Fat | 3½ | lbs. | Unsound |
Soup Powder | 22 | lbs. | Grub Infested |
Porridge Oats | 108 | lbs. | Grub infested |
Currants | 60 | lbs. | Grub infested |
Mars Chocolate | 3 | bars | Contaminated |
Fish Cakes | 72 | Decomposed | |
Sweet Biscuits | 10 | lbs. | Contaminated |
Speckle Eggs | 13 | lbs. | Contaminated |
Melts and Roes | 20 | lbs. | Decomposition |