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Inquiry has been made by Dr. Hamer into the conditions under which aerated waters are manufactured,
with the result that many possible sources of pollution were found, and in particular
instances it was ascertained that risk of contamination was not adequately guarded against
(Appendix III.). The desirability of legislation to give sanitary authorities powers of control in this
matter has been represented by the Council to the Local Government Board.
With the object of obtaining information as to the condition of houses originally built for one
family but now inhabited by several families, we directed the medical officer to make inquiry on the
subject. Of such houses there are a very great number in London, and their sanitary fitness for
their altered use is a matter involving the sanitary condition of large numbers of people. The enquiries,
which were made by Ur. Young, were necessarily rather limited in extent, but may be taken as fairly
typical. They showed how in a very large proportion of such houses scarcely any alterations had
been made to adapt them to their altered use (Appendix II). The means were very inadequate for
a proper supply of water, and for the preparation of cooked food, and in many other important
respects they were defective. The subject is receiving our serious consideration.
We have also devoted much attention to the question of the enforcement throughout London of
the by-laws regulating houses let in lodgings. We feel this to be a matter of primary importance
to the public health and to the well-being of the people, and should like to see much larger use
made by the sanitary authorities of tho powers which they possess for this purpose.
This question is intimately connected with that of the adequacy of the sanitary staffs of the
metropolitan boroughs, and we have from time to time had before us returns showing the number of
sanitary inspectors in proportion to the population. The return published in 1903 (Appendix IV.)
shows some increase in the total number of inspectors in London. The needs of particular
districts have been the subject of special inquiries, the results of which have in several instances
been to secure an increase in the number of sanitary inspectors.
We observe with satisfaction that the medical officer states that the record of the year 1903
shows on the whole satisfactory progress in the administration by the sanitary authorities of their
powers in relation to factories and workshops ; also that throughout London alterations and improvements
were effected in many bakehouses to meet the requirements of sanitary authorities for the
purposes of certification, and in other cases underground bakehouses were disused or closed. Steps
are also being taken to ameliorate the conditions under which work in laundries is done, especially
with respect to the drainage of floors. As regards the inspection of homes of outworkers, the medical
officer emphasises the importance of a sufficient staff of sanitary inspectors.
More activity is also being displayed by the sanitary authorities with regard to the inspection
of pi-emises where food is prepared for sale, and we observe that in more than one of the annual
reports of the local medical officers it is stated that premises on which working men obtain their
food are maintained in better condition, especially as to cleanliness, than are those from which food is
supplied to persons better circumstanced in life.
We have spared no effort to bring the common lodging-houses in London up to a proper
standard both as regards sanitation and safety in case of fire. The new licensing powers obtained
by the Council in 1902 have enabled it to require improved conditions at a large number of
houses, and we hope shortly to be in a position to say that all the common lodging-houses in use in
London have been made suitable for the purpose as regards the number, health, safety, and convenience
of the occupants.
Henry Jephson,
Chairman.
County Hall,
Spring-gardens, S.W.,
lbth December, 1904