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150
It is scarcely necessary to point out the desirability of
extending this really useful sanitary work. The resources of
the present station are strained to the utmost to cope with
the numbers of applicants requiring to be cleansed. Under the
provisions of the Act, "Local Authorities may expend any reasonable
sum on buildings, appliances and attendants, that may be
required for the carrying out of this Act, and any expenses for
these purposes may be defrayed out of any rate or fund applicable
by the Authority for general sanitary purposes or for the
relief of the poor."
The present Station, in addition to the accommodation
being inadequate to deal with the number of applicants, is
unsuitable in many respects for the purpose ; and I would
suggest that the piece of waste ground adjoining the Reception
Shelter, and belonging to the Council, might be utilised for the
purpose of building more commodious and suitable premises
for carrying out the provisions of the Act. Hitherto little
attention has been paid by Sanitary Authorities to matters of
personal hygiene, and personal cleanliness is the foundation of
personal hygiene. The success which has attended the Council's
initial, and so far inexpensive, attempt to develop this useful
measure of sanitary administrative reform amongst the less
fortunate members of the community, will, I have little doubt,
encourage them to extend the existing facilities in the direction
indicated.
The Midwives' Act, 1902.
This Act, which contains important provisions dealing with
the prevention of disease is administered in London by the
London County Council, who are the local Supervising
Authority; but the important duty of disinfection devolves upon
the Borough Councils, in accordance with Rule V. of the Rules
framed by the Central Midwives Board, and which is as
follows :—
“Whenever a midwife has been in attendance upon a
patient suffering from puerperal fever, or from any other illness