Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year ending December 31st, 1898
This page requires JavaScript
SMOKE NUISANCES.
During May and June there were many complaints respecting the
nuisance caused by the emission of dense volumes of black smoke
from chimney shafts at various manufactories in the District, the
cause being invariably attributed to the difficulty experienced in
obtaining smokeless coal owing to the strike in South Wales. The
Vestry though recognising the difficulty in which the owners were
placed, were of opinion that the nuisance might be minimised by the
exercise of special precautions, and the owners were accordingly
informed that they must take steps to put a stop to what was a very
serious inconvenience, and that in the event of the nuisance continuing
proceedings would be taken against them. After this warning there
was a noticable diminution in the nuisance and it was not found
necessary to prosecute.
HOUSES LET IN LODGINGS.
The Vestry, as recommended in the report for 1897, have recently
appointed a special Sanitary Inspector for the purpose of enforcing
the bye-laws made under Section 94 of the Public Health (London)
Act, in respect of houses let in lodgings, or occupied by members of
more than one family, and up to the present time 180 houses have
been registered.
CERTIFICATES UNDER CUSTOMS AND
INLAND REVENUE ACTS, 1890 & 1891.
Certificates for exemption from Inhabited House Duty were
granted in respect of 11 houses and refused in respect of 125.
SUPERVISION OF NEW PROPERTY.
The advisability of granting certificates in respect of new houses
which has been dealt with in previous reports was again brought
before the Vestry, and the question was referred to a Sub-Committee
for full consideration and report.