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 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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35
The condition of bomlbed sites in the district was a source of
anxiety both as regards nuisances caused by the deposit of domestic
and other refuse thereon and in respect of potential rat infestation
arising from the sites. Offensive refuse was cleared from 54 sites on
81 occasions when conditions made it obvious that removal was an
urgent matter, but during the time that the normal collection of house
refuse within the Borough was held up it was not possible to cope
with the demands. Rat infestations on the sites were dealt with as
they came to light and no secondary infestations arose as a result of
any neglect of this matter.
The following is a summary of the principal forms of inspection and of the action taken by the Sanitary Inspectors during the year:—
| Houses inspected on complaint | 10,994 | |
| „ „ after infectious disease | 713 | |
| Special inspections and visits | 11,427 | |
| Builders' notices | 2,022 | |
| Inspections of factories and workshops | 256 | |
| „ „ bakehouses | 80 | |
| „ „ dairies and milkshops | 658 | |
| „ „ butchers' shops and stores | 938 | |
| „ „ other food premises | 3,002 | |
| Drains and sanitary fittings examined | 5,405 | |
| „ repaired | 1,309 | |
| „ relaid | 129 | |
| Premises in which defects were found | all forms of inspection | 9,244 |
| „ „ „ abated | 5,467 | |
| Total number of re-inspections | 35.796 | |
| Intimation notices served | 9,963 | |
| Statutory notices served | 2,109 | |
| Summonses issued for housing defects | 69 | |
Water Supply.–The water supply of the Borough is under the
control of the Metropolitan Water Board. All the dwelling houses
in the Borough are supplied from the Board's mains direct to the
houses. No report of any form of contamination of the water
supply was received during the year; the difficulties arising from
floodings are described on page 41.
There are 15 premises in the Borough at which 22 wells have
been bored. All but two of these are deep-bore wells, four of
which are no longer in use. Of the remaining 18 wells at 13
premises only three provide water which is used for drinking
purposes.
16 samples of well water were taken during the year for bacteriological
examination and were all reported as being fit for drinking
purposes.