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 1965
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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44
For the disinfection of secondhand clothing prior to export, private
firms paid a sum of £99. In addition, charges for removal and destruction of
unwanted articles from various premises and sites totalled £255. 2s. 5d.
The cleansing or destruction of verminous articles were undertaken as
follows:-
Verminous articles treated 348
Verminous and other articles destroyed 132 single items
7 dustbin loads
19 van loads
Unwholesome Laundry
Number of persons for whom service was provided during
the year 137
Collections and deliveries made 3,653
Number of articles cleansed 38,057
The Committee ordered the destruction of filthy articles in 35 dwellings.
OFFENSIVE BUSINESSES
There were six premises at which the business of dresser of fur skins was
carried on. No contravention of the relevant bylaws was discovered.
MORTUARY
At the Council's Public Mortuary which adjoins the churchyard of the
Parish Church of St. John-at-Hackney, refrigerated accommodation is provided
for fifteen bodies. There is a well equipped post-mortem room, a chapel and
a viewing room. The Mortuary Keeper resides in a lodge attached to the
premises and other accommodation provides a waiting room and an interviewing
room for use by the Coroner's Officer. This mortuary receives bodies from
the London Borough of Hackney and the Bethnal Green area of the London Borough
of Tower Hamlets.
The cost is shared on a population basis.
| Hackney residents | Bethnal Green residents | Residents of other areas | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of bodies received to await post-mortem examination | 370 | 96 | 85 | 551 |
| Causes of death certified by Coroner without inquest Number of inquest cases | 306 64 | 85 11 | 63 22 | 454 97 |
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT, 1949
It is the duty of every local authority to take steps to ensure as far
as practicable that their district is kept free from rats and mice. Not
only are complaints investigated but routine inspections and treatments are
also carried out.
Complaints of infestation received 2,048
Premises found to be infested 1,692
Drains examined 82
Drains smoke tested 199
Drains found to be defective 22