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Parish of St. George the Martyr, Southwark.
alternative but to recommend the Vestry to appeal to the L.G.B., and request
that the M.O. may be called upon to resign. Such book should be examined
and initialled by the Chairman at every meeting of the Sub-Committee
appointed by the Health Committee to examine the books of the Department.
It should contain practically a continuous record of his work. At present the
Vestry has no knowledge of the time which he spends in the parish, nor the
business on which he is engaged.
(b) Household. Methods of disinfection employed in infected rooms.
(1) It has never been suggested that the Spray disinfector should in all cases
supersede the sulphur; the spray method was only recommended in those
cases where, in the M.O.'s opinion, efficient sulphuration was impossible; but
whenever the M.O. is of opinion that disinfection by sulphur is the more desirable
system to be employed, the Vestry will probably be prepared to defer to
his expert opinion. It must, however, be on the distinct understanding that
he takes such steps as will insure a scrupulous discharge of duty on the part
of the disinfectors, so as to make this system as effective as possible. As
regards the instructions to disinfectors contained in the Appendix, your
Committee recommend that they be referred back to the M.O. for further
consideration and report. They appear to have been compiled hurriedly, and
are not arranged with sufficient care; they are scarcely worthy of the M.O's.
reputation.
(2) As regards the carriage of goods to the disinfecting apparatus, your Committee
cannot concur in the view that a pony should be provided to draw the truck.
Even when full, it is not too heavy for two men to draw. In time of pressure
the disinfectors have the asistauce of one or more of the roadmen. But this
general question would, your Committee submit, be more profitably dealt with
at a later period.
(3.) In reference to the wearing of overalls—the M.O. states that their use would
be difficult in practice, though desirable in theory. Your Committee are of
opinion that the dress should be provided, and the disinfectors, if possible,
induced to wear it—the difficulties do not appear insuperable; but in any
case the responsibility of ultimate decision should remain with the doctor as
the head of the Health Department.
(4.) Now, as regards an increase of staff, which the doctor recommends, your
Committee are of opinion that greater supervision is required, rather than
a permanent increase of staff. In times of pressure, no doubt two disinfectors
cannot do the work; but additional men are provided by the Works Department
when required. The daily average of cases is only 1.3 per diem. If
there are occasionally six and even eight cases (but of this latter number no
instance has happened in the last six months) in a single day, there are also
periods when the disinfectors, qua disinfectors, have no work whatever. And
even if the staff were permanently increased, in times of extreme pressure,
casual help would still have to be obtained. Your Committee, therefore,
recommend that, for the present, the staff be not increased.
(5.) We pass to the enforcement of Sec. 60 of the Public Health Act. We note
that the contention of the Committee which conducted the inquiry into the
system of room-disinfection is practically admitted, viz.:—that the provisions
of this Section, as far as cleansing is concerned, had not till then been
enforced. No doubt the question is difficult, but each case should be decided
on its merits; and with the exercise of tact and discretion, the experience of
other Sanitary Authorities would probably be repeated in this district. At
any rate, since the recommendation of the Health Committee on this matter
was adopted by the Vestry, thirty-eight notices under this Section have been