London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Mile End 1882

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hamlet of Mile End Old Town]

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95
A Government enquiry was, during the epidemic, instituted
into the condition of the water supplied by the East London Water
Company, and especially as regarded the underground reservoir at
Old Ford, which the Vestry helped to bring to a conclusion
calculated to promote the public health, ordering that, wherever
practicable, water-waste preventers should be used.
East London
Water
Company
During this year numerous orders for disinfecting dwellings
were issued. The Medical Officer reporting danger to health
arising from building upon sites not properly prepared, it was
ordered that the attention of the Metropolitan Board of Works be
called thereto. Houses in James Street, Old Church Road, Essex
Street, Mile End Place, Richardson Fields, Bedford Square, York
Place, Cannon Place, Church Passage, Robert's Place, Charles
Court, Edward Street, Weston Street, and many factory works
were inspected, with recommendations to cleanse, repair, &c.
Vaccination was ordered in many cases. The water supplied by the
East London Water Works was reported comparatively pure.
1867
Disinfecting
orders
Places
visited
During this year, in consequence of complaints made, the Tower
Hamlets Cemetery was inspected by a Committee, and the
Medical Officer reported insufficiency of earth in covering the
coffins, and in separating them. Much controversy between the
Cemetery authorities and the Vestry resulted in a conference with
a favourable issue.
Tower
Hamlets
Cemetery
Several cases occurred where unwholesome meat was destroyed,
one dealer therein being convicted. This led to your Medical
Officer's making a report upon food adulteration, especially as
regards butter.
Unwholesome
meat
All cow-sheds and slaughter-houses were inspected.
Complaint having been made regarding a dead body in a room
in Thomas Street, occasion was taken to recommend that a
mortuary should be provided. Many cases of infectious diseases,
and some of cholera being reported, vigorous means were adopted
for preventing their spread. There are numerous records this
year of cases of overcrowding.
Cow sheds
&c.
Mortuary
Overcrowding
The records of this year show visits paid to many houses and
factories, including gas works, chemical works, manure yards, fish
curing premises, cow-sheds, and slaughter-houses, in Frimley Street,
Robert's Place, John's Place, Wellesley Street, Union Street,
South Grove, George Place, Essex Street, Commercial Road, and
the Vintner's Almshouses.
1868
Places
visited
The Regent's Canal Company was communicated with to stay
contamination to the water complained of, with good results. The
Government Inspector was in correspondence with your Medical
Officer of Health re the Tower Hamlets Cemetery.
Regent's
Canal