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
Malden and Coombe 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Malden & Coombe]
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17
WATER SUPPLY.
The whole of the area is supplied by the Metropolitan
Water Board and the supply has been satisfactory both as regards
quantity and quality. In view of the large number of
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.
DISINFECTION AND DISINFESTATION
The following numbers of rooms were disinfected for the undermentioned causes:—
| Whooping cough | 1 |
| Scarlet fever | 2 |
| Tuberculosis | 9 |
| Poliomyelitis (suspected) | 3 |
| Insect pests | 19 |
| Other | 7 |
Four loads of bedding were removed for steam disinfection
or destruction, and four bags of clothing were disinfected.
Routine disinfection after scarlet fever is not now carried
out and is only done in those instances where a special 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.
FOOD & DRUGS ACT, 1938.
During the year 152 samples were submitted to the Public Analyst for analysis. These comprised the following:—
| ARTICLES | ANALYSED | Adulterated or below standard. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formal | Informal | Total | Formal | Informal | Total | |
| Almonds, ground | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Aspirin tablets | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
| Barley, pearl | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
| Beer | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Blackcurrant juice | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Butter | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — |
| Cake decorations | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
| Cake mixture | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Cheese, cottage | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Christmas pudding | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Coconut, sugared | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Coffee | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
| Coffee essence | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |