Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
This page requires JavaScript
45
3. A chemist having special knowledge of the chemistry of
sewage, trade effluents and water supply.
4. An engineer having special knowledge of geology and water
supply.
It should also be provided with a laboratory.
The Commission indicate the nature of the proposed legislation
necessary to carry out their recommendations. They are comprised
under the following headings:—
1. Survey of Districts.
2. Prohibition of areas, and registration of pits, ponds, beds,
layings, &c.
Under this heading it is proposed that all beds, layings, &c., should
be registered, and the sale of shellfish from unregistered places declared
illegal. The registration will depend upon the report of the inspecting
officer of the Rivers Board, with right of appeal on the part of the
owner or occupier of them. It also provides for any local authority
having reason to consider that any registered bed, &c., whether within or
without their district, is not free from liability to dangerous contamination,
to be empowered to represent the matter to the Rivers Board.
3. Temporary closing of pits, layings, beds, &c.
An important provision is suggested that makes it the duty of the
Medical Officer of Health of any district concerned to report to the
Rivers Board any circumstance, such as outbreak of infectious disease
failure or alteration of sewage works, which he may consider to increase
the liability of dangerous contamination of shellfish in the waters under
jurisdiction of the Rivers Board.
4. Appeal to Central Authority.
In all the foregoing cases provision shall be made for appeal to the
Central Authority, whose decision shall be final.
5. Treatment of sewage in certain cases.
Details are here given of the procedure that shall be followed in those
cases where the sewage should be required to be treated before its discharge
into tidal waters. It also provides for dealing with the discharge
from private drains.
6. New Outfalls.
The construction of a new sewage outfall or drain to be subject to the
consent of the Rivers Board, with power of appeal to the Central
Authority.
7. Divided Jurisdiction.
At present the consent, of the Board of Trade is required for the construction
of sewers or other work below high-water mark, and it is the