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
Surbiton 1944
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Surbiton]
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The total number of articles disinfected by steam at the Tolworth Isolation Hospital or destroyed was:-
| Disinfected. | Destroyed. | |
|---|---|---|
| Beds | 2 | — |
| Blankets | 146 | — |
| Bolsters | 8 | — |
| Counterpanes | 7 | — |
| Cushions | 7 | — |
| Mattresses | 74 | — |
| Mattress Covers | 6 | — |
| Palliasses | 1 | — |
| Pillows | 125 | — |
| Pillow Cases | 39 | — |
| Quilts | 6 | — |
| Rugs | 4 | — |
| Sheets | 45 | — |
| Toilet covers | 2 | — |
| Towels | 9 | — |
| Wearing Apparel | 102 | — |
| Miscellaneous | — | |
| Total | 598 |
Number of rooms disinfected 19.
Number of library books disinfected 137.
ERADICATION OF BED BUGS.
| 1. | Council Houses. | Other Houses. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Found to be infested. | Disinfested. | Found to be infested. | Disinfested. | |
| 1 | 1 | 12 | 12 | |
2. Methods employed for disinfestations.
| Council Houses. | Other Houses. | |
|---|---|---|
| Thematox | — | 1 |
| Vermicine | 1 | 10 |
| Hydrogen cyanide | - | 1 |
PUBLIC MORTUARY.
During the year 70 bodies were received into the mortuary, 69
post mortem examinations were carried out and 28 inquests were held.
This does not include deaths from war operations.
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION.
In consequence of the interruption of normal work by flying bomb
attack little progress was made until towards the end of the year,
beyond giving advice to persons making complaint. In December I
submitted a comprehensive report to the Corporation as a result of
which they authorised acquisition of a van and the appointment of two
temporary labourers in order that work might proceed not only on sewers
and Corporation properties, but on private, business and industrial
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