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78
offered to Edmonton housewives. Possibly he would be entrusted with the
duties under the Shop Hours Acts.
Reports of the men inspectors should reach me monthly, which I would
incorporate in my reports to the Public Health Committee. This is the
method which has always been followed in the case of the women inspectors.
My Annual Report would contain an abstract of all the Inspectors' reports.
It is the only one regularly expected by the Government from any Department
at the Town Hall or Education Office. Except when specially necessary,
the Inspectors would not attend the meetings of the Committee or Council.
3.—Transfer.
The above arrangement of your men inspectors would be facilitated by the
transfer to your Engineer of the collection and disposal of house and trade
refuse; and the sanitary conveniences and their attendants.
4.—Disinfectants.
On the other hand, the ordering and distribution of disinfectants should
be reserved to the M.O.H., who alone has intimate knowledge of their chemical
and bacteriological values. This would lead to a saving of hundreds of pounds
yearly. The present great outlay has not (as you are aware) kept Edmonton
free from scarlet fever and measles in 1919.
5.—The Women Inspectors (Health Visitors).
Similarly these officers should, as to three of them, have one ward allotted
to each, so that she may acquire an intimate knowledge of the mothers and all
children under five years of age in her particular ward. If, on the basis of one
for every 400 births, two more are required, the district should be sub-divided
accordingly. All three (or five) Health Visitors should attend the Maternity
and Child Welfare Centre, so that the mothers will flock there in large numbers
if they are assured of receiving a hearty welcome there from the very lady who
visited them shortly after their last confinement—a sacred time which begets
friendly confidence between them.
Mrs. Hobbs, as "following-up" officer, has special duties, which she
can continue to discharge with much advantage to children of school age.
Accommodation for the four women inspectors now at the Town Hall is
quite insufficient. When they are all at work in their little room there are
only 275 cubic feet air space for each—which is 25 cubic feet less than the
minimum for inmates of common lodging houses. Further accommodation
is highly necessary, and can be found by utilising for them:—