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58
ADMINISTRATION.
In addition to the record of work under each of the preceding headings of this report, it will
be useful to submit a summary of certain of the main branches of Public Health administration.
STAFF OF PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Medical Officers.—On the 31st March, 1923, the date on which the Brompton Hospital
ceased to carry out the Dispensary treatment of tuberculosis for South Kensington patients on
behalf of the Borough Council, Dr. Burrell, a Visiting Physician at the Hospital, ceased to act as
part time Assistant Medical Officer of Health.
In July, 1923, Dr. Picard, was appointed to act as Visiting Medical Consultant for Tuberculosis
to the St. Mary Abbot's Hospital and this new appointment has necessitated a weekly visit
to that institution.
Male Sanitary Inspectors.—Mr. G. M. Pettit, who had held the position of Chief Sanitary
Inspector in the Borough with distinction for 24 years, retired from office on account of ill-health
on the 31st March, 1923. On his retirement, the Council passed a resolution expressing their
appreciation of the valuable work Mr. Pettit had performed in the Borough. It is with great
regret that I have to record that his active and useful life came to a close on May 4th, 1924.
Subsequent to Mr. Pettit's resignation, Mr. Henry Dawes was appointed Senior Sanitary
Inspector, in accordance with the requirements of Section 7 of the Public Health (Officers) Act,
1921.
Mr. Dawes remains the District Inspector of No. 10 District (Brompton area) and performs in
his new position a few additional duties which, owing to their nature, cannot well be divided
amongst the other Inspectors. For instance, he collects the necessary samples under the Rag
Flock Act, and under the Milk (Special Designations) Order. The remaining duties hitherto performed
by the Chief Sanitary Inspector have been divided up and allotted to the various District
Inspectors.
For the purposes of sanitary inspection the Borough is divided into ten districts, one of
which is allotted to each of the ten male Sanitary Inspectors, who carry out duties under the
Public Health Acts, the Housing Acts, 1890-1923, the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, the London
County Council (General Powers) Acts and, so far as men's factories and workshops are concerned,
under the Factory and Workshops Act, 1901.
Consequent on the Council's Special Housing Resolutions of January 11th, 1923, Mr. L. W.
Burrell was appointed Temporary Sanitary Inspector, and commenced his duties on May 1st,
1923. This Inspector has been engaged in the inspection, measuring up, and registration of
houses let in lodgings in the Golborne Ward and in issuing the necessary Public Health notices
required to bring these houses up to the standard of habitability decided upon by the Council.
Women Health Officers.—There are nine ladies appointed as Women Health Officers.
Seven are engaged in the work of visiting mothers of the poorer classes and advising them in
the care and management of their infants, in visiting cases of ophthalmia in newly-born infants
and in assisting with the work of the seven Infant Welfare Centres. They also devote a portion
of their time to the inspection of factories and workshops where women are employed, and in
visiting cases of measles, whooping cough and consumption. Two Women Health Officers
(Miss Hargrave and Miss Haycock) are employed on in-door work at the Dispensary.
Clerical Staff.—As a resnlt of the increase of work thrown on the Public Health Department
mainly in connection with tuberculosis, a fifth-class clerk was added to the staff on March 13th,
1923. There are now six clerks and a shorthand-typist.
Other Staff.—There are:—
(а) Four Disinfectors, including a man who acts as engineer.
(b) A Mortuary Keeper.
(c) A Sanitary Labourer who assists in drain testing.
(d) A Superintendent and Matron of the Medicinal Baths.
(e) A man employed as a Rat Officer.
Particulars of the staff as required by the Ministry of Health Circular No. 359, dated 10th
January, 1923, appear in Table 9 of the Appendix.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
Legal proceedings were instituted in 30 cases, particulars of which are summarised in the
following list:—