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83
conformity with the requirements of the Act and the necessities of the case. It should not be
difficult to establish co-operative bakeries, if it were found impracticable for each baker to
provide himself with a 'suitable' bakehouse above or under ground. Probably a solution may
be found in a new system, under which bakers' shops should become, in the main, distributing
agencies, or places for the sale of bread made in large wholesale bakeries, where this staple
article of human food shall have been prepared by machinery. Nothing better could be desired
—looking at the matter from the point of view proper to the sanitary authority. In any case,
the matter should not be allowed to drift, for if the bakers do nothing, and if the sanitary
authorities fail to make their views known, it may be alleged, and not unreasonably, on the
expiration of the period of grace, that the people cannot be supplied with the 'staff of life'
should 'unsuitable' underground bakehouses be closed, in conformity with the express provisions
of the new Act."
The above report was referred to the Public Health Committee with a view to an expression
of their opinion as to the desirability of consulting the sanitary authorities generally, as to
their views on the subject; and as to the desirability of joint action by those bodies, through
the agency of a conference or otherwise.
PUBLIC HEALTH (LONDON) ACT, 1891.
The need of amendments to this Act is recognised, and it was expected that the County
Council would have introduced a Hill during the session of 1900. In February, 1899, a letter
had been received by the late Vestry, from the Public Health Committee of the Council, desiring
information as to amendments which, in their opinion, should be made. The communication
was referred to a sub-committee of the sanitary committee, together with reports by the vestry
clerk, the surveyor, and the medical officer of health ; and also a communication from the
Society of Medical Officers of Health, embodying suggestions for amendments and additions to
the Act. The sub-committee made recommendations for amendment of section 2, especially for the
definition of "overcrowding," corresponding to the provisions of the Council's second by-law
for registered houses. They also proposed that section 5 should be amended, so as to enable the
sanitary authority, upon obtaining a closing order, to evict the tenants. Other proposed amendments
dealt with offensive trades, slaughter-houses, cow-houses and dairies; with the disposal
of refuse; regulations as to water-closets, unsound food, notification of infectious disease,
cleansing and disinfection of premises after infectious disease; isolation in hospital; exposure
of infected persons, etc. A number of additions to the Act were suggested, especially with
regard to the control of infectious disease. The report, subject to a slight variation in regard
to proposed amendments to section 55 (notification of infectious disease) was approved by the
committee, and submitted to the Yestry. Some of the amendments were adopted; others, and
all but two of the proposed additions, were rejected. The somewhat barren result of the enquiry
was communicated to the County Council, but no further action has since been taken by that body.
THE WORK OF THE SANITARY INSPECTORS.
In no respect, perhaps, has the municipalisation of London produced greater effect than
in the stimulus it has given to the appointment of additional sanitary inspectors by the Borough
Councils. In reports to the late Yestry I summarised returns prepared by the Medical Officer
of Health for the County of London, showing the number of inspectors employed by the several
Vestries and District Boards of Works. In June last a revised return was issued, containing
the subjoined summary (p. 84).
The borough staff, which was enlarged during the year by the appointment of four additional
male inspectors and one lady inspector, now comprises a chief inspector, ten male inspectors
and two lady inspectors of workshops, workplaces and laundries where women are employed.
The Council not only increased the number of inspectors but also made a liberal addition to the
salary of those officers—an act of consideration highly appreciated, and which will assuredly
have an excellent effect as regards the morale of the staff.
The services of the two street inspectors were dispensed with, and the duties formerly performed
by them, in connection with the Food and Drugs Adulteration Acts, inspection of
mews, etc., are now executed by the male inspectors.
The table at page 85 contains a summary of the work of the male inspectors (so far as
it admits of tabulation) in districts since June 15th when the borough, previously divided into
six inspecting districts, was re-arranged to constitute ten districts, of which six are in North
Kensington; i.e., north of High-street, Notting-hill and Holland-park-avenue; and four in
South Kensington, three of them to the south of Kensington High-street and Kensiugton-road;
the remaining district lying between the principal thoroughfares named. The work of the
inspectors is carried out under the supervision of the Public Health Committee, the Council
having conferred on that body authority to enforce the provisions of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1891, the Housing of the Working Classes Acts, 1890-1900 and the Factory and Workshops
Act, 1901.