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
East Barnet Valley 1919
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Barnet]
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24
Water Supply.
During the year numerous storage cisterns have been found
situated over w.c.'s and coal houses, and often without any protection
of the water supply from any foul air from the w.c. and dirt from
coal houses, etc. Action has been taken in all such cases, either for
the removal of the cisterns to more suitable positions, or for the
provision of new airtight ceilings to w.c.'s, and coal houses.
As the number of cases of Infectious Disease in Lancaster
Road was rather numerous and recurring, the Council instructed
me to inspect the houses in this road, especially with regard to the
water supply cisterns, drainage and general cleanliness.
This road contains 159 houses and 70 were inspected by the
end of the year, the inspection of the remainder is being proceeded
with.
I append a short summary of the principle defects found:-
| Number of houses inspected, and no defects found | 9 |
| Water supply cisterns dirty | 19 |
| „ „ „ without covers | 7 |
| „ cistern covers defective or dilapidated | 14 |
| W.C. pans defective and without water or insufficient water to flush same | 14 |
| W.C. compartments dirty | 6 |
| Drains defective, unventilated or insufficiently ventilated | 19 |
| Roofs leaky and houses damp | 22 |
| Rooms require cleansing | 65 |
Drainage.
During the year the drainage of 6 premises was reconstructed,
while the partial reconstruction has also been carried out on 13 other
premises.
Twenty-six drains were smoke and chemically tested.
The work has involved the laying approximately of 2,500 feet
of glazed stoneware and iron pipes.