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iv.
Wandsworth and Woolwich the sanitary authorities have formulated schemes for the regular collection
and removal of such refuse.
Houses let in lodgings.—We regret that in several instances sanitary authorities appear to
be lax in administering their powers of registration of houses let in lodgings.
Houses infested with vermin.—We are pleased to remark the substantial use which the
Medical Officer reports has been made by the majority of sanitary authorities of the authority
conferred upon them by section 20 of the Council's General Powers Act of 1904 with regard to
the cleansing of houses infested with vermin.
Common lodging houses.—The report contains interesting statistics as to the number
of persons housed in common lodging houses and of the persons in London apparently homeless.
It also contains a table giving the death-rates of males of various ages living in common lodging
houses, from which it appears that the total rates of mortality from all causes are for most age
periods more than double those among Londoners (males) generally ; phthisis and bronchitis are
the causes of death which especially contribute to this excessive mortality in the common lodging
houses.
Factories and workshops.—We are gratified to note that, as a result of the efforts of sanitary
authorities, workshops are reported to be in a better condition than formerly, but we regret
that several matters still require to be remedied. The order of the Secretary of State made in
August, 1905, appears to have produced useful results.
Inspection of food.—The Medical Officer in his report devotes considerable space to the
important question of food inspection, and details the efforts made by sanitary authorities to prevent
the consumption of unsound food. He lays stress on the fact that the absence of adequate administration
for the purpose of meat inspection affords opportunity for the importation into London of
meat which would not be allowed to be consumed in any continental city where meat is brought
under inspection. This is a matter to which we have devoted great attention, and we hope that
the desired authority may be conferred by the passing of the Public Health (Regulations as to
Food) Bill, introduced into Parliament, in the session of 1906, by the President of the Local
Government Board.
R. M. Beaton,
Chairman.
County Hall,
Spring Gardens, S.W.,
13th December, 1906.