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
East Barnet Valley 1919
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Barnet]
This page requires JavaScript
The following table gives some evidence of the atmospheric conditions prevailing, but it must be noted that these conditions affect not the immediate health of the people but a subsequent period:—
| Mean Sunshine per day; hours. | Rainfall. Inches. | Number of days on which Rain fell. | Notification Certificates received. | Deaths | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0.39 | 4-3 | 21 | 8 | 13 |
| February | 1.43 | 3-T | 12 | 4 | 26 |
| March | 313 | 4.04 | 21 | 19 | 18 |
| April | 4.07 | 3-2 | l6 | 19 | 17 |
| May | 8.29 | 0.6 | 6 | 17 | 10 |
| June | 7.63 | i-5 | 7 | 17 | 5 |
| July | 3.52 | 1.9 | 12 | 30 | 12 |
| August | 7.39 | 2.67 | II | 15 | 8 |
| September | 5.13 | 1.4 | II | 11 | 8 |
| October | 3.74 | 0.62 | 8 | 9 | 5 |
| November | 1.8 | 2.25 | 17 | 57 | 9 |
| December | 0.97 | 4.5 | 21 | 54 | 9 |
Schools.
The Schools in the District were visited and the sanitary
condition examined. Some defects were noted and will receive
remedial attention. Instructions were given to the Head Masters as
to ventilation, and the importance of cleanliness.
For the most part the children appeared healthy and well cared
for.
Food Restrictions.
Restrictions of Cream, Butter and Sugar continue to have a
deleterious influence on the healthy nutrition of the community ;
vegetable oils and fats cannot be an effective substitute for animal
fats. Fortunately an extra quantity of these foods were supplied in
necessitous cases.
Great and valuable assistance has been given by the Sanitary
Inspector in obtaining the very marked improvement in the sanitary
condition of the houses in the District.