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iv.
tenement houses is fully appreciated. I would, however, urge the desirability of making two
collections per week (from, say, May to September) a definite rule, not one subject to annual
consideration.
Further experience of the provisions of the Factory Act with regard to "outworkers"
confirms the opinion that amendment of the law is necessary, both in the direction of
simplification of procedure and in limitation of definition. I have ventured to submit certain
proposals which, I think, will achieve both objects.
On the question of the food supply, I have to observe that the "warranty" provisions
of the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, as interpreted by the Courts, are rendering those Acts
practically nugatory. Each year that defence becomes more common, and although the
adulteration, especially of milk, is beyond dispute, it is impossible, owing to such defence,
to allocate the responsibility, or secure a conviction. A similar difficulty is experienced in
connection with diseased meat. This is made manifest from the want of success attending
the prosecutions of vendors of such meat. The defence provided by sub-section 3 of
Section 47 of the Act—"that he (the vendor) did not know and had no reason to believe"
that the meat was unsound, &c.—has been so interpreted as to relieve the vendor of all
need of proper precaution—that is, examination prior to sale.
In conclusion, I have to report that the Officers of the Department have discharged the
duties of their respective offices to my entire satisfaction. I desire to express my acknowledgments
of the assistance rendered to me by my medical colleagues practising in the
Borough, and to tender my thanks for the courtesy and kindly consideration which I have
received at all times from the Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee.
I count it a pleasure as well as an honour to carry out the duties entrusted to me.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen,
Your most obedient servant,
m.a., m.b., d.p.h., f.s.s.,
Medical Officer of Health.
Town Hall,
Paddington, W.
26th May, 1907.