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7
wich-road, for the purpose of receiving complaints and giving information required. A complaint book
is also kept at the Board's office, in which complaints may be registered ; complaints are also received
at the vestry and the relieving offices.
I may briefly summarise the results of my inquiry into Deptford as follows—
(1.) The district contains a number of houses occupied by poor persons, and requiring
constant supervision.
(2.) The many defective conditions which were found to be present in this class of house,
and the overcrowding, show that there is failure to maintain all premises in the
district in a proper sanitary condition as required by section 1 of the Public
Health (London) Act, 1891.
(3.) At the present time no attempt is made to enforce the regulations as to houses let
in lodgings, nor indeed has any sufficient attempt been made to inspect workshops
in the district.
(4.) The staff of sanitary inspectors is below the average of London, for whereas in
London there is now one inspector to 20,000 persons, in Deptford the proportion
is one to 21,600.
(5.) The inspectors have not clerical assistance as in the majority of London districts.
(6.) The existing mortuary accommodation cannot be regarded as satisfactory.
C. W. F. Young,
Assistant Medical Officer of Health.