London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

View report page

Shoreditch 1892

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch, Parish of St. Leonard]

This page requires JavaScript

184
PART II.—GENERAL.
THE STAFF OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
At the end of last year a joint report prepared by the Vestry Clerk and
myself was laid before the General Purposes Committee, but did not come before
the Vestry until January, 1892. The Vestry Clerk pointed out that the Vestry
had asked him and the late Medical Officer to report upon the criticisms of Mr.
Cubitt Nicholls and Dr. Seatou, but that Dr. Sutton's death prevented that being
carried out. He also pointed out that it was important if the Vestry were desirous
of keeping the sanitary work of the parish in their own hands that a sufficient
staff should bo provided at an early date. My part of the report was as follows:—
"To the General Purposes and Sanitary Committee
"Gentlemen,—In the report relating to the sanitary condition of Saint
Leonard, Shoreditch, presented to the Home Secretary by Mr. Cubitt
Nicholls and Dr. Edward Seaton, special attention is drawn to the strength
of the sanitary staff. Having referred to the increased amount of work
thrown upon the sanitary staffs of London vestries by the operation of the
Infectious Diseases (Notification) Act, the Commissioners proceeded to state
that—
'In order to cope with the work that at the present time needs to bo
'done, we think that an iucrease in the sanitary staff is absolutely
'necessary, and that without such increase the sanitary condition of
'parish cannot be properly maintained. In order to bring the condition
'of the parish up to a satisfactory level, another full inspector at least is
'required. In our opinion the sanitary condition of the parish cannot
'be properly maintained with a less numerous staff than that now
'indicated. Briefly summarised, the immediate sanitary requirements
'of Shoreditch are, in our opiuion, as follows:—
'(1). An extension of the work of subsoil and house drainage, the
'details of which have been so well executed under the supervision of
'the Vestry's sanitary staff, and an enlargement of the staff to enable
'this and similar work to be effected. To this end the appointment of
'an additional inspector is imperative. The staff for the parish would
'then consist of:—
' A Medical Officer of Health.
' A Public Analyst.
' A Chief Sanitary Inspector.
' A Second Inspector.
' Two Assistant Inspectors.
' A Clerk.
' A Disinfecting Officer.