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39
further attention (except in the event of an accidental stoppage), for
many years. The work done in this direction by your Officers has
been skilfully and carefully accomplished, and I have much pleasure
in drawing your attention to it.
Recent Legislation has thrown much additional Clerical Work upon
your Medical Officer. The Public Health (London) Act, 1891,
requires me to forward daily particulars of all notified infectious
cases to the Asylums Board. lam also required within twelve
hours of the receipt of the notification to send similar particulars to
the Head Masters of every school attended by children residing in a
house where a case of infectious disease is reported, and I also send
a subsequent notice of convalescence and disinfection. Particulars
of women and children found employed in Workshops must be reported
to the Factory Inspector of the district. Copies of every
report made under the Housing of the Working Classes Act must
be forwarded to the Local Government Board and to the London
County Council, reports of infectious cases in Dairies, and subsequent
reports as to disinfection, etc., must be sent to the London
County Council. Naturally all this entails a good deal of extra
work, and Mr. Meadway, the Sanitary Clerk, though a most
energetic officer, has more than he can do. The appointment of an
additional Inspector has so greatly increased his duties that he finds
it impossible to keep his books from falling into arrear in consequence
I have found it necessary to employ an additional clerk and
to pay him out of my own pocket. I trust the Vestry will shortly
see its way to relieve me of this obligation. Until this is done,
however, I must continue the arrangement, as the duty of making
these reports is a Statutory one distinctly thrown upon the Medical
Officer of Health who is alone responsible that it is performed, and
I cannot plead insufficient Clerical assistance as an excuse for failing
to comply with the law.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient servant,
George Paddock Bate M.D.