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25
Work of the Public Health Department.
The staff of the Department consists of three male sanitary inspectors,
one woman sanitary inspector, one health visitor, two male
clerks, and one woman clerk (Maternity and Child Welfare); the staff of
the Chelsea Health Society and School for Mothers consisting of two
whole-time health visitors.
A tabular statement of the work carried out by the sanitary inspectors
is included in this report.
Considerable nuisance was caused during the early part of the
summer by an offensive trade being established in Lots-road. The
nature of the business was the conversion of waste food into cattle meal.
This involved the extraction of fat, thereby bringing it, in the opinion
of the Public Health Committee, within the bye-laws relating to offensive
trades. It required exceptional vigilance and numerous visits on the
part of the Sanitary Inspector in charge of the district to minimise the
nuisance which arose, and he formed the opinion that the premises were
entirely unsuitable for the purpose for which they were being used, and
also that the trade was an offensive one. After numerous interviews
and communications on the matter and visits to the premises by the
County Council's Inspector dealing with offensive trades, the Company
eventually agreed to apply to the County Council for a Licence to carry
on their business, and the Borough Council, on the advice of the Public
Health Committee, decided to oppose the granting of the Licence on
the ground that the business was a nuisance and detrimental to the
health of residents in the vicinity. The County Council, after hearing
the application, and the objections, decided not to grant the Licence
and the premises in Lots-road were subsequently closed down, the
business being transferred to a district outside the area of the London
County Council.
During the year inspections were made by the Sanitary Inspectors
of all urinals attached to licensed premises, which were approached
directly from the public footway. In 14 instances, steps were taken by
the Department with a view to having these urinals modernised by being
provided with proper channels, sloped floors, automatic flushing, etc.,
and also to ensure that the interior of the urinals should be properly
screened off from the view of passers-by when the doors are open. In
the majority of cases, the above requirements have been met, and work
is in progress in regard to the remainder with a view to having these
alterations carried out.
Five hundred and seventy-six school children were reported by
the school nurses to be in a verminous condition, and 299 visits to homes
were paid in connection with these cases.
Seventeen cases of Scabies were reported during the year, and
19 visits to homes were paid in connection with these cases.
The Woman Sanitary Inspector paid 98 visits to homes in consequence
of complaints received as to old age pensioners and others living
under neglected and insanitary conditions.