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
Merton 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton]
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Sewerage and Sewage Disposal
I am advised that the arrangements for sewerage and sewage
disposal are adequate. There are a number of cesspools in the Borough
and arrangements to empty them at intervals are made by the respective
owners.
Registered Common Lodging Houses
There are no registered common lodging houses in the Borough.
District Inspection
The following is a summary of the complaints and requests received and visits made during the year 1971:—
| Complaints received— | |
| General disrepair and insanitary conditions | 227 |
| Dampness | 259 |
| Overcrowding | 8 |
| Defective drainage system | 71 |
| Blocked drainage system | 1,099 |
| Defective drainage fittings | 25 |
| Defective sanitary accommodation | 73 |
| Defective service water pipes | 92 |
| Absence of, or defective dustbins | 5 |
| Accumulation or refuse, etc. | 437 |
| Rats and mice | 1,883 |
| Pigeons | 73 |
| Foxes | 12 |
| Insect pests | 706 |
| Smoke nuisances | 218 |
| Noise | 127 |
| Smells and odours | 260 |
| Unsound food | 325 |
| Water supply | 91 |
| Miscellaneous | 79 |
| 6,070 | |
| Visits made— | |
| General. | |
| P.H. Act (Nuisance) | 2,764 |
| P.H. Act (Dwelling houses) | 2,171 |
| Storage of refuse | 185 |
| Drains testing | 96 |
| Choked drains | 2,408 |
| Other drainage work | 828 |
| Radioactivity | 53 |
| Child Minders | 17 |
| 8,522 | |