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78
INSPECTORIAL STAFF.
No change in the personnel of the Sanitary Staff has
taken place during the year, and the amount of work that
has been carried out again calls for comment. 10,088
notices have been served, dealing with 10,314 structural,
and 2,303 non-structural, defects, and the improved condition
of houses, etc., consequent on such notices being
carried out to the satisfaction of the Inspectors must have
a beneficial effect upon the sanitary state of Lambeth
Parish, and upon the health of the inhabitants. 784 houses
have been re-drained throughout or in part, whilst the
drains of 311 new buildings have been laid under the
personal supervision of the Inspectors, who, in all cases,
test with water such drains, not only in sections (as laid),
but also as a whole (when completed).
In connection with drain testings of infected houses, the
small (comparative) percentage (14.3) of houses, in which
the test gives a result, is noteworthy. This percentage is
yearly becoming less, having dropped from 24.7% in 1892
to 14.3% in 1900, It must not, however, be forgotten that
the smell test, as employed, is not wholly satisfactory, and
cannot compare in value with either the water or the
pneumatic test—the *pneumatic test having been recently
introduced in connection with drain testings, as giving very
delicate reactions.
The late Vestry decided that, in order to prevent
misunderstandings, where the smell (or chemical) test gave
no result, a printed circular should, as required, be sent to
the owner, or occupier, or others concerned, to the following
effect:—
*The late Vestry ordered a new Smoke Machine, which can be used
for the pneumatic test when required.