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Sanitary Administration of Hammersmith.
The question of the sufficiency of the staff of sanitary inspectors in Hammersmith was
under the consideration of the Public Health Committee of the Council at the date when the
changes consequent upon the passing of the London Government Act, 1899, were taking place.
As the result of communication with the Vestry of Hammersmith, it was felt that further consideration
would be better postponed until after these changes had been made.
In 1901 the newly-constituted Borough Council appointed an additional inspector, but later
the medical officer of the borough recommended the appointment of another inspector. This was not
agreed to by the Borough Council. In January, 1902, the County Council decided to have an inquiry
made by Dr. Young into the sanitary administration of the district, and as to the sufficiency
of the sanitary staff, having regard more especially to the regulation of houses let in lodgings.
When Dr. Young began his inquiry he found that the Borough Council had, in the meantime,
decided to appoint an additional inspector, and this officer shortly afterwards took up his duties.
As the result of the inquiry Dr. Young came to the conclusion that there would be advantage in
giving effect to a recommendation of the Public Health Committee of the Borough Council as to
the division of Hammersmith into six sub-districts, and the allotment of an inspector to each.
He also thought that the time of one of the sanitary inspectors, who was chiefly engaged in
superintending the removal of house refuse, should be wholly devoted to the duties which more
usually devolve on these officers. He further recommended, in view of the large number of laundries
in the district, and of the women employed in them, that the authority should consider the
desirability of appointing a woman inspector. Dr. Young's report is appended. (See Appendix V.)
Legislation.
In addition to the Council's General Powers Act, the sanitary provisions of which have
already been mentioned, two Acts were passed during 1902 to which reference may be made—
(a) The Midwives Act, which provides for the constitution of a Central Midwives Board,
with power to frame rules for the registration of midwives and for regulating, supervising, and
restricting within due limits the practice of midwives. After April 1st, 1905, no person may use
the title of midwife without being certified under the Act, and after April 1st, 1910, no woman
may habitually and for gain attend women in childbirth otherwise than under the direction of a
qualified medical practitioner unless she be certified under the Act. The London County Council
is constituted a local supervising authority, and the following duties, inter alia, devolve upon the
Council— . To exercise general supervision over all midwives practising within their area
in accordance with the rules to be laid down under the Act.