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
City of Westminster 1911
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]
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66
Plans.—588 sets of plans were examined during 1911. 462 of these
resulted from notices served by the Public Health Department, and
126 were plans of new buildings or reconstructions, the drainage of
which is under the supervision of the City Engineer, with the exception
of such matters as come under the Public Health Act and By-laws
made thereunder in respect of water closets, water supply, ventilation,
&c.
Failure to send in plans occurred in 34 instances.
Infringement of the By-laws in connection with the erection of
buildings occurred in 26 instances.
Proceedings against one firm offending were taken with the following result:—
| Premises. | Offence. | Result. |
|---|---|---|
| 28, Victoria Street | Erecting apparatus to w.c. without notice | Order to pay £1 1s. costs. |
| 28, Victoria Street | Partly reconstructing drains without notice | Order to pay £1 1s. costs. |
Twenty-five persons were cautioned by the Public Health Committee.
In six instances the work was not being carried out satisfactorily,
but was altered so as to comply witli the By-laws.
Drain-testing.—In the list given above is shown the number of
drains and soil pipes which have been tested under the superintendence
of the sanitary inspectors. The chemical test is applied by them, but
the other forms of test require assistance, this is frequently given by
the builders employed in the work, but in 458 instances the services of
the two drain-testers attached to the Department were requisitioned.
Supervision of House Drainage.—For a considerable time it has been
evident that the system adopted by the Council, whereby part of this
work was under the control of the City Engineer and part under the
Medical Officer of Health, was too complicated. During 1911 the
matter was specially considered by a joint sub-committee of the Public
Health and Works Committees of the Council, and as a result the
Council amended the arrangement in accordance with a report submitted.
The Sub-committee said:—
"We would point out that the reference to the Public Health
Committee includes the construction of all water closets, soil pipes
and other apparatus which are the subject of the provisions of the
Public Health (London) Act and the By daws made thereunder. This
necessitates inspection and supervision by the Officers of the Public