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

Hackney 1938

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]

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Table: (c) Public Library and Other Books.—The following action was taken during the year in regard to the disinfection or destruction of Public Library and privately-owned books:—

(c) Public Library and Other Books.—The following action was taken during the year in regard to the disinfection or destruction of Public Library and privately-owned books:—

No. of Public Library Books removed from infected homes, and disinfected550
No. of Public Library books removed from homes in which smallpox had occurred, and destroyed_
No. of privately-owned books removed from infected homes, and disinfected440
No. of books removed from the shelves of the Public Libraries, and disinfected2,309
Total number of books dealt with3,299

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Isolation Shelter.
During the year 6 persons were admitted to the shelter while
their homes were being disinfected. This total consisted of 2 men,
3 women, and 1 child. The cost of maintenance of these
persons was 9s. Letters of appreciation of the service are not
uncommon.
Cleansing of Verminous Persons.
The facilities provided by the Borough Council for the
cleansing of verminous persons were in constant use. The total
number of baths given during the year was 2,187 (417 to adults
and 1,770 to children), whilst 2,040 head cleansings, not necessitating
bathing, were carried out. The total number of cleansings or
treatments at the Cleansing Station during the year was, therefore,
4,227.
Of the 2,187 baths given, 2,096 were baths for scabies and
91 hot baths for pediculi. The great majority of the persons
presenting themselves for baths or cleansing were children from
the elementary schools in the Borough.