London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Fulham 1940
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Fulham]
This page requires JavaScript
Maternity Home. During the year 270 cases were admitted for labour
and 23 for antenatal treatment.Ther were no maternal deaths but 3
babies died within 14 days and there were 8 stillbirths.
Day Nursery. The Nursery continued in its Sussex surroundings as a
residential nursery. In October we were able, through the generosity
of an ex-Mayoress of the Borough, to evacuate 25 young children to
North Wales.
Supply of Milk. The total quantity of milk supplied to mothers and
young children was: Cow's milk free of cost1,731 gallons, at half
cost 151 gallons; dried milk free of cost 7,0877 lbs; at half' cost
591 lbs. The approximate cost to the Borough was £815 In addition
8,841 lbs of dried milk was sold at cost price, a total amount of £736.
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA.
Sanitary Inspection of the Area. The following table gives a summary of the Inspections made by the sanitary inspectors during the years-
| Cause of Inspection | First inspections | Re-inspections | Total inspections |
|---|---|---|---|
| In consequence of complaint | 1,714 | 6,090 | 7,804 |
| " 11 infectious disease | 358 | 99 | 457 |
| House to House Inspections | 29 | 113 | 142 |
| Infirm and Dirty Tenants | 65 | 126 | 191 |
| Rent Restriction Act applications | 14 | - | 14 |
| TOTALS | 2,180 | 6,428 | 8,608 |
As a result of these inspections 1,240 Intimation Notices and
304 Statutory Notices (11 under the Housing Act and 293 under the
Public Health Act) were Served.
The routine visiting of food premises, factories, etc., was
continued, 1,745 visits being made,
Drainage of Buildings. During the year 67 plans were approved by
the Public Health Committee,
Legal Proceedings. Twelve summonses were issued in connection with
the work of the sanitary inspectors and fines and costs amounting to
£6 were imposed.
Rag Flock. Proceedings were instituted against an upholsterer using
Rag Flock which contained 150 parts of chlorine per 100,000 parts of
rag flock as against the standard of 30 parts and a fine of £5 was
imposed.
Smoke Abatement. During the year 5 complaints were received from
mambers of the public, one observation was made and 4 notices served.
pent (Restrictions) Acts. In response to applications by the
tenants, 13 certificates were issued during the year.
Aged. Infirm and Physically Incapacitated Persons. During the year
34 visits were paid by the woman sanitary inspector to aged persons,
including 258 for the purpose of arranging evacuation.
Rat Repression the year 134 complaints were received and
the Rat officer in addition to attending to these complaints
continued his routine visits to business premises, particularly food
premises, paying 2,240visits. Rats known to be destroyed numbered
1,147.Damage to property and drains by enemy action resulted in
the disturbance and subsequent destruction of many rats, the total
number destroyed being double that in many previous years.