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15
I might have been driven to report repeatedly the same premises as often as the
surveyor failed to strike upon what I held to be the causes of unwholesomeness. In
the instance of the houses in Brand Street, however, I simply reported in the words
of the statute, because the case was one of mere extensive dilapidation, and of the
occupation of huts as residences contrary to the provisions of the Building Act.
The only other matter I think it necessary to mention, is the practice we have
adopted of condemning unwholesome fish. The large quantity of bad fish which is
sold to costermongers in Billingsgate Market, is scarcely credible by any one not
conversant with the trade. So great was the amount of work, and so great was the
loss of time which devolved upon our inspectors, in consequence of this, that
I submitted to the Sanitary Committee a suggestion that costermongers, who, in
the hurry of the market, had been supplied with unwholesome fish, should be
encouraged, instead of selling it for food, to bring it to us at once for condemnation,
and that we should give them a certificate of condemnation, armed with which they
might obtain from the salesman the return of their money, while at the same time,
our own poor population, to whom cheap fish is a great boon, might be protected.
Since the beginning of November, 1867, no less than fifty such applications have been
made to us, showing if not the full extent of the evil—for our remedy involves great
loss of time to the poor costermongers—yet that it is one loudly calling for redress.
Repayment upon production of our certificate has only been resisted in three or four
cases, and in each unsuccessfully, since it has been upheld in the City Courts. Two
cases, I thought it right to take to the Police Court, in order to obtain a magisterial
condemnation, so as to strengthen our hands. Only one instance occurred in which
a fraud was attempted by the use of our certificate, and the offending persons were
condemned to 21 days' imprisonment. Thus far, then, the plan has worked well;
but the Sanitary Committee has authorised a communication to the Corporation of
the City, calling attention to the facts, remonstrating against the practice of
permitting bad fish to be sold in the market at all, and suggesting that, where such
a thing accidentally occurs, a City Inspector should be present at all times to give
the redress which is now only obtainable here.
I have the honour to remain,
Gentlemen,
Your very obedient Servant,
EDWARD BALLARD, M.D., M.R.C.P.,
Vestry Office, Medical Officer of Health.
May 1st, 1869.