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103
THE APPOINTMENT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE
PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS CHIEF SANITARY
INSPECTOR.
The anomalous position which the Superintendent occupied under
"The Public Health (London) Act, 1891," was brought before the
Public Health Committee, who being desirous
1. That he should devote more of his time to outdoor work than he
had hitherto done, and knowing (2) that he was to all intents and
purposes an Inspector, but that (3) be had no legal status under the Act,
for he had never been appointed under it, and that, therefore (4) he
could not prosecute, nor conduct a prosecution, and the Committee
feeling that (5) he should possess these powers, and also that (6) he
should be able to seize unsound food, decided to recommend the Vestry
to appoint him Chief Sanitary Inspector.
The Vestry was consulted, and agreed to the recommendation of
the Committee, and on the Local Government Board being appealed to,
and the circumstances of the case being pointed out, they at once
sanctioned the appointment.
PRECAUTIONS ADOPTED AGAINST THE SPREAD OF
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
The usual modes of procedure were adopted:—
1. On the same day (with very occasional exceptions) as that on
which the disease was notified, a Sanitary Inspector called on the
parents or guardians to get particulars of the case, and to examine the
condition of the premises.
2. The patient was removed to hospital whenever consent to the
removal could be obtained, and when there was a bed available.
3. Intimation was at once sent to the school which the patient, if
a child, attended, and also to any other schools which were attended by
children belonging to the same family or living in the same house.