View report page

11
far less prevalent than formerly, owing to the exhibition of cautionary notices,
and if similar notices were displayed in the streets, there is every reason to
believe it would tend to minimise the evil.
From time to time attention has been called to the lack of any apparatus in
the Metropolis for the preservation of the unknown dead. The Paris Morgue
is too well known to need any description here further than to say that
refrigeration is the method employed.
During the past year the Corporation decided to make provision at the City
Mortuary for the preservation of dead bodies for the purpose of identification,
but for reasons stated on p. 52 it will be seen that refrigeration methods were
discarded in favour of a simpler and more economical process. The apparatus
has been a complete success, and has been the cause of identification of bodies
which would otherwise have been buried "unknown" at the expense of the
ratepayers.
The enquiry with regard to the Artesian Wells in the City, referred to in
the last Annual Report, was continued during the year.
Adverting to the suggestion made in the last Annual Report that the
Corporation should take a Day Census in 1911, I take this opportunity of
reminding you that the consideration of the matter should not be deferred,
as, should you concur therein, the necessary arrangements for carrying out
the undertaking in a reliable and tactful manner should be proceeded with.
There is another point upon which I desire to direct attention. There is a
strong feeling, and a growing one, that sanitary administrators are greatly
hampered in their work by the prevalence of legislation by reference, and that
our sanitary laws generally require re-codification.
In this connection the Housing and Town Planning Act may be referred
to, the first part of which has been fittingly described by a legal critic as
containing "a bewildering maze of cross references to the provisions of
previous statutes."
Year by year the London County Council promote Bills in Parliament,
which introduce important amendments to the Public Health Act, with regard
to the utility of which great difference of opinion may exist amongst other
metropolitan sanitary authorities.
The Public Health (Regulations as to Food) Act is another instance of a
complicated character. Reference may also be made to the laws relating to
the sale of foods and drugs, which have now reached a stage when they
require consolidation.
In this case there is a pressing need for the appointment of a Statutory Board
or Court of Reference, who should be empowered from time to time to fix
standards of purity for food and drugs, and to give guidance to local authorities
on any difficult or doubtful points that may arise in connection with
their administrative action.