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

City of London 1901

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]

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44
On the 27th September there occurred another fatality on a barge ("Herbert
Tomkins") laden with an offensive cargo.
This makes the fifth death since January, 1900. As in previous cases,
death was from suffocation produced by carbonic acid gas evolved from the
foul and putrid matter comprised in the cargo. The victim was the master
of the barge. An inspection was made by your Medical Officer some hours
after the discovery of the body.
The air in the cabin was so bad that a match would not burn in any
situation lower than three feet from the floor, and the bilge under the floor
contained filthy and offensive liquid. Prompt action was taken, and the
barge has since undergone structural alteration in accordance with the
requirements of your Medical Officer. The question of dealing with this
class of vessel is dealt with at length under the heading of "Canal Boats."

Table: SANITARY WORKS.The following Sanitary Works and Alterations in connection with Buildings and Premises within the Docks, &c., have been completed during the half-year:—

SANITARY WORKS.

The following Sanitary Works and Alterations in connection with Buildings and Premises within the Docks, &c., have been completed during the half-year:—

Date completed.Works.
1901.
July 31Victoria Dock. North side of Tidal Basin. Drainage.
August 29Millwall Dock. London Pressed Hinge Company. Erection of' Closets and Construction of Drainage for same.

Table: Plans for the following works have been approved:—

Plans for the following works have been approved:—

Date plans submitted.Works.Date plans approved.
1901.1901.
July 13Millwall Dock. New Granary to be erected by Messrs. Holliday and Greenwood at "F" Yard. Drainage.July 16.
October 1Millwall Dock Company. South East corner of "P" Warehouse, Millwall Dock. Construction of Closets.December 3.
14Great Western Railway Company. Victoria Dock. Drainage at New Offices.„ 3.
24Millwall Dock Company. New Wood Department, Millwall Dock. Construction of Closets.„ 3.
November 21Millwall Dock. Drainage for Stables being erected at Messrs. McDougall's Flour Mills.