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for utilising the knowledge which will thus be gained. Cerebro-spinal fever notifications showed
decline to 85 in 1908 as compared with 135 in the preceding year. There were 12 deaths registered
from this cause in 1908. Dr. Wanblyn has continued his study of the London cases and the results
of his observations are given in Appendix II. of the Medical Officer's report.
Removal of house refuse,—The question of nuisance from flies in connection with deposits of
house refuse and stable manure has again been studied on lines similar to those followed in 1907.
(See Appendix III. of the Medical Officer's report.) One of the centres around which serious
nuisance was experienced in 1907 (a dust depot) was not used after June, 1908, and in correspondence
with this it was found (judging by the results obtained at 15 places of observation surrounding this
centre) that there had been at least six million fewer flies in 1908 than in 1907 in houses within a
radius of 200 yards from the depot.
Common lodging houses.—In connection with this branch of administration reference should
be made to Appendix IV. of the Medical Officer's report, which gives the results of a census of
" Homeless Persons " taken on the night of 15th January, 1909.
Seamen's lodging houses.—Further negotiations have been conducted with the Board of Trade
on the subject of the annual licensing of seamen's lodging houses.
Milk supply (Tuberculosis).—On the 1st July, 1908, the administration under the General
Powers Act, 1907, Part IV., was brought into operation, and from that time until the end of the
year 620 samples of milk were taken, principally from churns at the large railway stations. Of those
samples in which it was found practicable to make a completed examination, 11*6 per cent, were found
to be tuberculous. The farms supplying the samples giving positive results were inspected by the
Council's veterinary inspector; 4,997 cows in all were examined, and of these 147 were found to
present tuberculosis of the udder. Provincial local authorities have shown willingness to co-operate
with the Council in preventing the sale of milk from cows which the Council's veterinary inspector
has certified to be suffering from tubercular disease of the udder, and in a few instances veterinary
inspectors have been appointed by the local authorities for the enforcement of the Dairies, Cowsheds
and Milkshops Order of 1899.
Legislation.—The London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1908.—We were not
successful in 1908 in obtaining powers for dealing with unwholesome milk, i.e., milk which apart from
being tuberculous was found to be so dirty and unwholesome as to be unfit for human food. Our
proposals for legislation affecting London were not proceeded with, because we were informed that the
matter would be dealt with by legislation for the country as a whole. During 1908, however, powers
were obtained from Parliament for enabling sanitary authorities (1) to refuse to register, or to remove
from the register, the names of dairymen carrying on their business on unsuitable premises, (2) to
appoint health visitors, (3) to require proper provision for cooking food in tenement houses, (4) to
enforce certain regulations as to cleanliness, etc., in places in which food is prepared.
Education (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1907.—The Medical Officer shows the steps taken
by the Council to give effect to the duties which devolve upon it under the Education (Administrative
Provisions) Act, 1907, and in Appendix V. of the Medical Officer's report will be found a report by
Dr. Kerr upon the medical work of the Council as the Education Authority,
Gilbert Johnstone,
County Hall, Chairman.
Spring Gardens, S.W.
25th Nocember, S.w.