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84
Mr. I. R. Lewis was appointed Workshops Inspector in April,
the other vacancy on the Inspectorial staff being still vacant at
the end of the year. Pending consideration of the question of filling
this vacancy a revision of the districts to which the Sanitary
Inspectors are assigned was made, the result being shewn on page 3.
Survey of Health Services.
The Ministry of Health, in pursuance of powers conferred by
the Local Government Act, 1929, gave notice in November of the
appointment of two of their medical officers to conduct a survey
of the Public Health and Maternity services of the Council. The
survey was commenced on the 4th December, and was in progress
at the end of the year.
Coroner's Court and Mortuary.
During the year the Public Mortuary was still further improved
by the installation of refrigerating plant for the preservation of
bodies awaiting burial or identification, &c. Further improvements
which were contemplated in the shape of increased ventilation and
the installation of electro-motor fans were postponed until the
financial year 1933-34.
In view of the fact that Battersea has been made by the
London County Council one of the principal Centres in London for
the holding of inquests, the increased number of bodies received at
the Mortuary rendered these improvements essential if the usefulness
and efficiency of the Mortuary were to be maintained.
An interesting and illustrated account of these additions was
published in the Lancet of the 18th November, 1933, which appears
to have stimulated interest amongst other Sanitary Authorities,
several of them having sent representatives to inspect these improvements,
which will no doubt result in greater attention to the
sanitary and more seemly conduct of public mortuaries.
The refrigerating plant consists of two compartments, the
larger holding twelve bodies in four tiers, being maintained at a
temperature of 34° F., and the smaller accommodating six bodies at
a temperature of 20° F., the temperature in each compartment
being adjustable. The compartments are separately controlled and
are fitted with sliding body racks in lacquered metal, the whole
construction being designed to secure the maximum cleanliness.