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88
[Appendix IV.
Among the matters which formed the subject of complaint by H.M. Inspector was a case of
a workroom being used as a sleeping apartment by night and fully occupied by workers during the
day. Such double use of a room should not be allowed, but there is nothing either in the Factory
Acts or the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, which will exactly meet the case. The simplest
remedy would appear to be to empower the Home Secretary, under the provisions of Sec. 1 (2) of
the Factory and Workshop Act, 1895, to raise the standard of cubic space to be provided in such
a workroom. This would not prevent any room being doubly used, but would reduce the number
of persons working therein during the day, and to some extent minimize the effects of continuous
vitiation of the atmosphere. Domestic workshops—i.e., places were only members of the same
family are employed —would be exempt from any such restriction.
Smoke Nuisances.—A watch has been maintained over the various shafts connected with
factories, &c., in the Parish, but legal proceedings have not been necessary during the past year.
Canals and Canal Boats.—The Report required under the Canal Boats Acts was presented
to the Yestry in January of this year. It is satisfactory to note that no sickness was reported among
the inhabitants of the boats, and no infringements of the Acts requiring legal proceedings.
Food Supervision.—The customary half-yearly inspections of bakehouses, slaughter-houses^
&c., have been made.
The Public Analyst has reported the results of his examinations of the 372 samples submitted
to him during the year. The discovery in the early part of last year of arsenic in effervescent phosphate
of soda acquired additional importance through the outbreaks of arsenical poisoning which
occurred in certain parts of the country in the autumn. On the facts becoming known, special
samples of beer, sweets, &c., were taken, but were all found to be free from deleterious ingredients.
By the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, 1899, vendors of margarine are required to register
themselves with the local authority. Appplications for registration were received from 7 firms
up to December last.
A quantity of bad condensed milk and putrid dripping was seized at a baker's shop and condemned
by the Magistrate, who ordered its destruction. Proceedings were instituted against the
person in whose possession the articles were found. In the course of the case it was found that
tins of condensed milk may be in a bad state of decomposition without manifesting the "bulging"
or "blowing" usually associated with decomposed tinned foods. There is a grave risk in using
unsound tinned foods, more so, perhaps, than that associated with other foods in a like condition.