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been since supplied with a list of " sanitary works," relating mainly to drains and waterclosets in
connection with workshops, and which have been carried out under the supervision of the authority
during the past year. Hitherto, however, there has been no special inspection of workshops.
Mortuary.—The mortuary which has been provided consists of a railway arch, this one arch
serving for the bodies of persons who have died from infectious as well as non-infectious maladies, and
for post-mortem examinations when such are required. The mortuary is altogether unsuited for the
purpose, and it is not matter for surprise that its use is practically limited to receiving the bodies of
those found drowned in the Thames.
Disinfection.— For the purposes of disinfection, the sanitary authority has provided an oven
which is situated in a railway arch adjoining that used as a mortuary. The oven is heated by gas, and
is an apparatus far less efficient than those in which steam is used. Articles requiring disinfection are
removed by means of a truck. When bedding is unlit for further use, it is burnt and replaced, but this
event is of rare occurrence. No charge is made for disinfection. Houses are disinfected by the burning
of sulphur in the rooms, stripping paper from walls, and lime-whiting ceilings, the wall-stripping and
lime-whiting being carried out at the owner's expense.
Scavenging.—At the time of the commencement of my inspection the sanitary authority
contracted for the removal of the house and street refuse of the district, and the cleansing of the roads,
but employed its own servants to cleanse the footways and the Borough market. The refuse which
was removed by the contractor was taken to Bankside, aud shot into barges on the Thames. The
refuse collected by the sanitary authority was removed to a wharf in Lambeth occupied by the Strand
Board of Works. Now none of the work is done by a contractor, but the authority employs its own
servants. The house refuse is removed systematically from houses, the scavenger calling at each
house on his round, and not waiting to be summoned when his cry is heard.
Shelter for the accommodation of persons during the disinfection of their rooms.—In accordance with
the requirements of section 60 (4) of the Public Health (London) Act the sanitary authority has
provided two rooms at the top of a house in Nelson-square, occupied by one of the sanitary inspectors,
in which poor persons can be accommodated during the disinfection of their own rooms. This shelter is
provided with three beds, and other furniture by the sanitary authority.
Sanitary administration.—For the sanitary administration of the district, the District Board has
appointed a medical officer of health and two sanitary inspectors and has also in its service a man who is
employed in disinfection and in the testing of drains of houses. The second inspector was not appointed
until February, 1892.
There is no clerk attached to the sanitary department, the inspectors preparing their own notices
and keeping the records. The inspectors report to the [medical officer of health who, since March 1st,
1892, has had general supervision of the work of the sanitary department.
A book is kept at the office to which the hall-porter has access, and in which inhabitants can
enter their complaints; it is however found by experience that this book is not used, but complaints are
often made verbally or sent by letter. In another book is entered the particulars of every house
inspected, a page being devoted to each house.
There was at the time of my enquiry no ledger kept containing a list of premises, the
subject of proceedings, and by which could be seen the nature of the proceedings and the results. This
however has since been provided.
The sanitary inspectors visit houses on complaint, but this inspection is not limited to houses
concerning which representation is made to the sanitary authority. I am informed it is the practice of
the inspectors, when their attention is directed to any particular house, to inspect other houses in the
same street, and further, when a complaint is received respecting any house, inquiry is not limited to
the subject of the complaint, but the house is examined throughout with a view to the discovery of
any other defects that may exist.
The requirements of the sanitary inspectors are comprehensive. The ventilation of house drains
is insisted on, and all new drains are subjected to the water test before being regarded as satisfactory.
A return which I presented to the Council's Public Health Committee in April of the present
year, showed that while in the district of St. Saviour there was one sanitary inspector to 13,581
inhabitants, it was found necessary in St. Giles to employ one to every 7,956, and in as many as
eight London districts the strength of the sanitary staff' was in excess of that of St. Saviour.
Until February of last year there has been but one sanitary inspector, and the arrears of work
in the district must therefore have been considerable.
That much progress has been made is beyond doubt, but in view of the character of the
district, which I have endeavoured to describe in the earlier pages of this report, I do not regard two
inspectors as sufficient to maintain it in proper sanitary condition. The systematic inspection of
workshops still remains untouched, and the work which will devolve upon the sanitary authority in
connection with the registration of houses let in lodgings will make further important demands
upon the efforts of the staff.
In conclusion I may state that—
(1) I am satisfied that the representations of the Mansion House Council as to the conditions of
houses in the district were substantially accurate, and that these conditions had grown up as a result of the
insufficiency of the staff. The sanitary authority had, before my inspection began, endeavoured to remedy
the defects, and in this work they had been materially aided by the appointment of the second sanitary
inspector in the early part of last year, practically doubling their staff. The work of improvement which
has been done deserves recognition on account of its thoroughness. I am, however, of opinion that two
inspectors are insufficient, especially in view of the necessity of a systematic inspection of workshops,
and in view of the duties which must devolve upon the staff in connection with the regulation
of houses let in lodgings.
(2) There is need for the sanitary authority to provide a proper mortuary.
(3) The present disinfecting oven should be replaced by one in which the disinfection is effected
by steam.
Shirley F. Murphy,
Medical Officer of Health.