View report page

who have been recommended for treatment in a sanatorium seem to
have been so chosen on the ground of their own condition. But in
view of the stress which is laid on the danger of infecting others, it
would seem logical that the home conditions and circumstances
should be taken into account, and a report on these should be considered
by the Committee simultaneously with that of the medical
referee. It is true that the hard pressure of privation may drive
many of those refused for a sanatorium to the workhouse, even
those who were at first altogether unwilling to avail themselves of
such an asylum. But if they are so dangerous to those surrounding
them, surely much harm must have previously been done to these, for
admission is often only sought when they are completely at the end
of their resources, and where the home conditions have been at
their worst for some time.
The necessity for some drastic alteration at the Cleansing
Station for verminous children at Peckham Park Road was reported
to the Committee, who surveyed the premises and who were
convinced of the necessity of improving the conditions under
which the work was carried out. A sub-committee was appointed
to visit and to confer with the Borough Engineer and myself, with
the result of a scheme being prepared which would have been
thoroughly satisfactory. The cost, however, was great, and the
matter was referred back to the Sub-Committee to see if economies
could be effected. A modified estimate was submitted which,
although by no means so thorough or so lasting as the original, was
a considerably less expense. This was approved, and the work
subsequently put in hand, and at the time of write is complete.
Owing to the expense of the alterations, it was decided to ask
the London County Council to extend their agreement to ten years,
but they did not accede to this request, and the period of our
contract with them remains at five years as originally arranged.
A proposal to treat scabies there was before the Committee.
It was, however, pointed out that this disease would have required
many more baths than the usual run of cases dealt with, and as
the London County Council did not agree to any increase on the sum
allowed for the ordinary verminous children, the matter dropped.
The smell from a factory near the Old Kent Road was alleged
to continue and to cause a nuisance to the neighbourhood. The
complaint was of the formal nature required by the Public Health
Act, i.e., signed by ten ratepayers. On this complaint the Committee
took action, and the matter was taken before the magistrate in July.
The business was that of cleansing oily and greasy cloths, and the
nuisance arose from the escape of steam from the drying chamber,
where effectual means for obviating the smell did not exist. The
evidence was conflicting, and in the end the case was adjourned,
a sum of £3 3s. being allowed as the costs to the Council.
Housing and Town Planning Act.
Number of houses inspected under Section 17 20
Number of houses in respect of which closing orders were made Nil
Number of houses where defects (such as could be remedied under
the Public Health Act) were remedied 19
One of the houses which was inspected under the Act was demolished.