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43
Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health—1896.
In my opinion, however, they do not go far enough, inasmuch as they do not deal with
such vital points as the smallness of staff, the extent of cleansing to be enforced, and
the provision (already on foot) of a refuge for displaced individuals and families. I
would suggest as immediate practical steps that your Vestry appoint an additional
disinfector. with women scrubbers and several men to strip walls and cleanse. If
disinfection be carried out thoroughly an additional special inspector will be required.
In other words, proper disinfection means a large outlay of money. Given unlimited
means, it would be comparatively easy to get as perfect a system as could be
devised in the present state of scientific knowledge. In fact, the defects pointed out
by your Sub-Committee appear to be due, in some instances at any rate, to the policy
of expecting the greatest results from the least expenditure.
Although I have made my remarks as brief as might be, they nevertheless touch
upon a number of important points. The Vestry will now realise why it was impossible
to answer the Sub-Committee's Report off-hand, especially in the absence of
the evidence on which that Report was based.
In some quarters it has been suggested that the Report of the Sub-Committee
reflects upon my efficiency as a Medical Officer of Health. I am sure, however, that
such an opinion could not be held by those who have followed my work during the
past four-and-a-half years, So far from ascribing any such motive to the SubCommittee,
I welcome the interest with which they have approached this most
difficult subject of room disinfection as of great promise to the future sanitary welfare
of this parish.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
F. J. WALDO,
Medical Officer of Health.
Vestry Hall,
December 15th, 1896.