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
Clerkenwell 1899
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Clerkenwell, St. James and St. John]
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disease for which steam disinfection has been done during 1899 are set forth below:—
| Scarlet Fever. | Enteric Fever. | Puerperal Fever. | Diphtheria. | Croup. | Disinfections at request of occupier for non-infectious diseases. | Totals. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25 | 6 | _ | 6 | 1 | 1 | 39 |
| February | 22 | 4 | — | 13 | _ | _ | 39 |
| March | 20 | 1 | — | 13 | 2 | _ | 36 |
| April | 15 | 1 | — | 15 | - | 1 | 32 |
| May | 31 | 3 | — | 10 | - | — | 44 |
| June | 34 | 1 | 1 | 16 | - | _ | 52 |
| July | 33 | 7 | — | 17 | - | _ | 57 |
| August | 35 | 5 | 1 | 19 | - | 2 | 62 |
| September | 32 | 10 | — | 14 | - | 1 | 57 |
| October | 41 | 8 | — | 15 | - | _ | 64 |
| November | 30 | 12 | — | 15 | - | 3 | 60 |
| December | 10 | 9 | — | 9 | - | 1 | 29 |
| 328 | 67 | 2 | 162 | 9 | 571 |
There have been during 1899 a total of 37 " burnings," that is
to say the complete destruction of infected bedding, mattresses,
wearing apparel, etc.
During the year there were 315 sulphur disinfections of rooms
in which infectious disease had occurred. There seems now to be a
good deal of substantial evidence in favour of fumigation by means
of Formic Aldehyde (Formalin), and it may become desirable in
this district to introduce this impr???cd method at an early date.
Formalin appears to act more efficaciously than sulphur and takes
less time.
HOUSE TO HOUSE INSPECTION.
During 1897 arrangements were made for the establishment of a
register of every house in the Parish, and house to house inspecions
were carried out for this purpose by the inspectors. In this
register records are kept concerning the owner, the mode of
occupation, the cubic space in feet per room, the sanitary notices
c