View report page

10
diseases—diarrhœa, whooping cough, and measles, and the
systematic house-to-house visitations in the poorer districts
and (b) a special Inspector to devote his whole time to the
carrying out of the Bye-Laws as to houses let in lodgings,
or occupied by more than one family—the majority of which
are to be found in the Inner Districts of the Parish, where
overcrowding, with all its attendant evils (social, moral,
and sanitary), is consequently most rife.
The female Inspector's duties might also include the
inspection of workshops where females are employed (1689
females out of a total of 3020 being employed in 500
Lambeth workshops, of which 214 are also in the Inner
Districts); the underground (female) conveniences of the
Parish, and the sanitary appliances of shops, where girls
and women are employed.
In connection with the suggestion as to a Female Inspector,
it may be well to remind the Vestry that, when it
was decided to appoint four new male Inspectors, such appointment
was confirmed by the Local Government
Board, with a proviso that a further report should be
presented after twelve months to the Board by the Medical
Officer of Health for Lambeth, as to the necessity for a
still further increase of the Lambeth Inspectorial Staff.
The question arises, therefore, what are the relative advantages
(if any) to be gained from the appointment of a female
Inspector, as against a male Inspector? As Medical
Officer, I am of opinion that the female appointment is
preferable, as the special duties I have mentioned above
are either not carried out at all at present, or not as
efficiently as would be the case with a female Inspector of
good ability—leaving the staff of male Inspectors to carry