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184
1903]
Laundries.—At the end of 1902 there were 193 workshop laundries on
the register, to which 8 were added during 1903, and from which 10 were
removed, so that at the end of the year there remained igi. These received
332 inspections. They are now in a very much improved condition to that
in which they were a few years ago. Indeed, it is hardly too much to say that
the conditions under which the work is now carried out is very different to
that which existed when inspections were commenced in 1895. Nevertheless
these places can never be rendered absolutely healthy, because of the heat,
steam, and the nature of the work itself, and consequently the workers will
always be liable to contract colds which may lead to various chest diseases
such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Indeed, the linen brought to be cleaned
may be the vehicles for the conveyance of various diseases, particularly of
enteric fever and phthisis. It may be stated that a few years ago it was
proved at Clapham Infirmary that 1 in 11 laundresses (out of 446 who suffered
from various other diseases) were affected with phthisis, and at Isleworth
Infirmary 1 in 10 (out of 137) similarly suffered.
The work imposed on the Workshop Inspectors.—The work which
your two inspectors have now to undertake under the Factory and Workshops
Act, has grown so enormously that they cannot much longer give the premises
which it is their duty to inspect, that adequate supervision which is so necessary,
if inspection is to be of any material service. Altogether they at present number
3,412 containing nearly 5,000 rooms, from which it will be seen that work as
they may, they cannot visit many of these places more than once, especially if
they pay due attention to those workshops which require, and must have,
continued supervision. It will, therefore, be necessary that the Council should
consider how much further they will increase their staff for the purpose of
executing their duties under the Act.
MISS GRAY'S REPORT.
The Town Hall,
Islington,
14th January, 1904.
To A. E. Harris, Esq.,
Medical Officer of Health.
Sir,
I have the honour of presenting for your consideration a report of my work for the
year 1903.
In the course of the year I inspected 1,862 premises, which contained 2,535 workrooms,
and I made 1,542 calls and re-inspections.
The premises inspected were : —
Registered workshops and laundries 1,095
The homes of female out-workers 511
Restaurant kitchens 149
Miscellaneous premises 107