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should be taken to secure certification, and notices were inserted in several daily and weekly newspapers.
A list of midwives certified under the Act and living in London was compiled from the roll of the Central
Midwives Board, steps were taken to ascertain whether these women were actually practising as midwive3,
and inquiries were made into any cases of puerperal fever, still births, etc., occurring in the practice of such
women. In November, Miss V. E. M. Bennett, M.B., B.S., was appointed inspector under the Act, and a
systematic inspection of certified midwives practising in London was begun with a view to ensuring that
they observed the rules of the Central Midwives Board. At the end of 1904 there were 972 certified midwives
in London, and 150 of these had notified the Council as the local supervising authority under the
Act of their intention to practise.
Conference on the Administration of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891.
On the 6th October, 1903, the following resolution was passed by the London County Council:—
"That in view of tho different standards of thoroughness adopted bv the various medical officers of
health in London, in their administration of the Public Health Act, it be an instruction to the Public
Health Committee to consider as to convening: a Conference of representatives and medical officers from the
metropolitan boroughs to consider the advisability of a more uniform administration."
On this instruction the Public Health Committee on the 10th May, 1904, reported as follows:—
" From information which has been placed before us it is evident that there is considerable want of
uniformity in the enforcement by the sanitary authorities of London of their various statutory duties
and powers, and we think that it would be of advantage if a conference were convened by the Council at
which the undermentioned subjects might be discussed."
1. Houses let in lodgings.
2. Overcrowding.
3. Underground rooms.
4. Sanitary condition of factories, workshops and workplaces.
5. Enforcement of by-laws under the Public Health and Metropolis Management Acts.
6. Inspection of food and of places where food is prepared.
7. Inspection of offensive trades, slaughterhouses, cowhouses, dairies and milkshops.
8. Precautionary measures against measles and phthisis.
9. Methods of disinfection and the provision and use of shelters for persons during disinfection.
10. Number of sanitary inspectors.
11. Employment of female inspectors.
The conference was held on the 7th and 18th July, 1904, under the presidency of Mr. Jephson,
chairman of the Public Health Committee, and the following resolutions were adopted:—
Housing.
Houses let in Lodgings.
1. That the efficient administration of Section 94 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, relating to the
registration and regulation of houses let in lodgings is a matter of extreme importance to the public health of London.
2. That it is advisable that in by-laws made in respect of houses let in lodgings there should be no rental limit
of exemption, but that they should be so framed as to apply only to such houses as are registered by the sanitary;
authority.
3. That the efficient enforcement of by-laws relating to houses let in lodgings is the most effective method of
dealing with overcrowding, but that inspections should from time to time be made during the early hours of the morning
at other houses where overcrowding within the meaning of Section (2), (1), (e) of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891,
is suspected.
Underground Rooms.
4. That a single angle of light and air to underground dwelling rooms should be adopted in the enforcing of
Section 90 of the Public Health (London) Act.
5. That this Conference is of opinion that no underground room not complying with the conditions laid down
by Section 96 of the Public Health Act, 1891, should be used for sleeping.
Water Supply.
6. That a draw-off tap from the rising main and a sink should be provided on every floor of a tenement-house.
Factories and workshops.
7. That it is desirable that the sanitary authorities in enforcing Section 38 of the Public Health (London) Act
1891, should adopt the following standards:—
I. In factories and workshops where females are employed or in attendance there shall be one sanitary convenience
for every 25 females, provided that in factories or workshops where the number of females employed or in attendance
does not exceed 75 the following shall be the standard:—
One sanitary convenience where no more than 15 females are employed or in attendance.
Two sanitary conveniences where from 15 to 40 females are employed or in attendance.
Three sanitary conveniences where from 40 to 75 females are employed or in attendance.
II. In factories or workshops where males are employed or in attendance there shall be one sanitary convenience
for every 25 males; provided that—
(а) in factories or workshops where the number of males employed or in attendance does not exceed
50, and sufficient urinal accommodation is also provided there shall bo one sanitary convenience where no
more than 20 males are employed or in attendance, and two sanitary conveniences where from 20 to 50 males
are employed or in attendance;
(b) in factories or workshops where the number of males employed or in attendance exceeds 100, and
sufficient urinal accommodation is also provided, it shall be sufficient if there is one sanitary convenience for
every 25 males up to the first 100, and one for every 40 after;
(c) In factories or workshops where the number of males employed or in attendance exceeds 500,
and the district inspector of factories certifies in writing that, by moans of a check system, or otherwise, proper