View report page

102
12. He shall obtain the consent in writing of the Medical
Officer of Health before destroying any shell as provided in the
By-laws.
13. He shall in matters not specifically covered by these
rules obey the directions of the Medical Officer of Health.
Your Medical Officer of Health received a deputation from
the London Branch of the British Embalmers Society on the
subject of these By-laws when it was explained that although
such By-laws had of necessity to be framed in a manner which
appeared rigorous and possibly formidable their administration
was always a matter with which tact, judgment and
consideration for the difficulties and sentiments inseparable from
such matters were always blended by those who had to see to
their due enforcement. The Society were advised to place their
objections formally before the Local Government Board and did
so, but the Board confirmed the By-laws as presented by your
Council. The Society regarded the last By-law of the series—
one imposing a change for the use of the mortuary for purposes
of the embalming and injecting bodies as one which would put a
bar in the way of what, in their opinion, had proved a very
useful measure of sanitation. It was their desire that no charge
should be made in cases where a simple injection of the cavities
with formalin or similar antiseptic might have to be carried out,
However, this still remains as a mode of treatment for which, if
done in your Council's Mortuary a small charge may be made.
During the year it was found necessary to investigate the
condition of the drainage at the Mortuary. Whilst this investigation
was proceeding, it was discovered that the north-east
corner of the central building was to some extent giving way.
The advice of an architect was obtained, and he recommended
that this corner should be shored up and underpinned. This
was done at a cost of approximately £89 10s. On the completion
of this work the whole of the drainage system was re-laid
throughout at a cost of £56 10s. The whole of the outside of
the buildings has been repainted at a cost of £45 is.