London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

View report page

Malden and Coombe 1949

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Malden & Coombe]

This page requires JavaScript

17
routine bacteriological and chemical examinations carried out by
the Water Examination Department of the Board it was not
considered necessary to make any special local tests. All
dwelling houses in the area are supplied by public water mains
direct to the houses.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

The following number of rooms were disinfected for the undermentioned causes:—

Scarlet fever26
Tuberculosis29
Vermin (including fleas)25
Other5

A number of books from the public library and schools
were also disinfected as far as practicable for a variety of reasons.
Sixteen loads of bedding were removed for steam disinfection
or destruction.
Routine disinfection after Scarlet Fever is not now carried
out and is only done in those cases where a request is made.
Instead a bottle of disinfectant is left and advice given as to
the best method to be employed in dealing with the bedroom
used by the patient. It is now well known that the incidence of
this disease is not affected by failure to do ordinary fumigation.
Efforts are made, however, to ensure that disinfection is
carried out after death or where patients suffering from pulmonary
tuberculosis move. There are, however, difficulties
in ensuring that this is always done. Disinfection is often
declined but in these cases it is generally found that adequate
measures have already been taken.

FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1938.

During the year 147 samples were submitted to the Public Analyst for analysis. These comprised the following:—

ARTICLESANALYSEDAdulterated or below standard.
FormalInformalTotalFormalInformalTotal
Aspirin22
Butter22
Boracic ointment11
Baking powder22
Beer22
Black pudding22