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(2) The keeping of water-closets supplied with sufficient water for their effective
action.
(3) The cleansing of receptacles used for storing water likely to be used for drinking
purposes.
(4) Houses let in lodgings or occupied by members of more than one family.
The vestry of Fulham have made by-laws on these subjects, which have been confirmed by the
Local Government Board. The by-laws are based on the model by-laws, and are similar to those
which have been made and are now in force in most districts in the metropolis. As regards the
amount of rental which is considered sufficient to exempt houses from the operation of by-laws which
relate, to houses let in lodgings, this is not the same in all parts of London. In the case of Fulham,
by-laws have recently been confirmed by the Local Government Board giving the sanitary authority
power to register all unfurnished lodgings of no greater rental than 6s. a week, and all furnished
lodgings which do not exceed a rental of 7s. 6d. a week.
These by-laws require the same amount of cubic space as the model by-laws of the Local
Government Board already referred to, namely, 400 cubic feet for each person in rooms used both tor
living and sleeping purposes, and 300 cubic feet in those used for sleeping only, two children under
ten years being regarded as equivalent to one adult. No houses had been registered at the time of my
inspection.
A considerable amount of work has been carried out by the sanitary authority under the
powers conferred on them by the Public Health (London) Act, and under the Housing of the Working
Classed Act as regards houses unfit for human habitation. I find from the reports of the medical
officer of health for the years 1893 and 1894 that under the last-mentioned Act, thirty-nine and
ninety houses respectively were certified by him as being unfit for human habitation. Of these houses
eleven were demolished, and the remainder were either closed by the owners or by a magistrate's
order. During my inspection I had opportunities of seeing premises in which drainage improvements
were being effected owing to action by the sanitary authority ; in all such cases the requirements
of the vestry appeared to be comprehensive, including ventilation and disconnection, and the provision
of inspection chambers in the course of the system of drains. All drains, whether in newly-built
houses or after reconstruction, are now subjected to a water test before being passed as satisfactory.
The work thus carried on is as a rule limited to the case of premises which have been brought
to the notice of the sanitary authority by complaint, or by the occurrence of infectious disease. Some
parts of the district however known to require periodical visits are thus treated, but it has not been
possible to undertake a systematic house-to-house inspection of the whole district.
The results of this inquiry into the sanitary condition of Fulham may be summed up as
follows:—
(1) The general death rates for the last four years have been less than in London
generally, but the infantile death rates and the zymotic death rates have been greater in
Fulham. The birth rate, which in 1891 showed a marked excess over London, has decreased.
(2) Much work has been carried out by the health department for the remedying of
insanitary conditions, but in more than two-thirds of the houses visited by me defective
conditions were found to exist.
(3) Systematic house-to-house inspection has not been undertaken, owing to the time
of the existing staff being fully occupied.
(4) No sufficient steps have been taken to carry out the provision of the Factory and
Workshop Act.
(5) No shelter for families during the disinfection of their rooms has
been provided.
(6) The enforcement by the vestry of the by-laws relating to houses let in lodgings
will cause a considerable increase in the duties of the sanitary inspectors and clerk.
(7) The Vestry have not provided themselves with proper apparatus for disinfection
beyond arranging with a contractor.
These facts lead to the conclusion that, in order that the duties devolving upon the public
health department may be efficiently carried out, the vestry should take steps to increase their staff.
The appointment of another inspector, making a total of five for the district, would probably at the
present time be sufficient, though, in a district which is increasing so rapidly as Fulham, a further
increase at no distant date may possibly be necessary. Additional clerical assistance is also needed.
The vestry should without further delay, provide a shelter for the use of persons during the
disinfection of their rooms.
C. W. F. Young,
Assistant Medical Officer of Health.