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57
and walls there seems to be no end, and much loud knocking has become a
weariness of the flesh. If it is necessary to go on converting the heating of the
building from one system to another, surely arrangements could be made for
such conversion at some time other than in mid-winter.
I have seen no modern Health Department housed in buildings and
surroundings so unsuitable for the purpose ; and when visitors express surprise—
as they so often do—I am getting rather tired of making the excuse that the premises
are not typical of the Council's interest in public health. I cannot believe that
individual members of the responsible Committees are aware of the state of
affairs, and I beg to suggest that they be afforded an opportunity of visiting the
premises and seeing the conditions for themselves. Thereafter I hope it will be
possible to put the necessary work in hand as soon as possible.
Over three years have elapsed since the suggestion contained in the last
paragraph of the above Report was made, and since then steps have been
taken to effect some improvement in the surrounding conditions, to carry out
some internal decoration, and to provide a cycle rack for the staff; but these
improvements do not convert the premises into what could be considered
as suitable for the accommodation of a modern Health Department.
SANITARY INSPECTORS
(Report by the Medical Officer of Health—April.)
STATUTORY DUTIES OF SANITARY INSPECTORS
The duties of a Sanitary Inspector are specified in Article 27 of the
Sanitary Officers (Outside London) Regulations, 1935. Briefly, and in broad
outline, they are concerned with such matters as: nuisance abatement;
atmospheric pollution and smoke abatement; the repair, closure and
demolition of insanitary housing; drainage; shops; factories and workplaces;
rodent control; schools; water supply; meat and food inspection;
food premises and sampling; offensive trades; outworkers; infectious
diseases; diseases of animals ; places of entertainment.
The sphere of his duties and responsibilities is specified in, and regulated
by, a large and ever-increasing number of statutes, statutory orders, regulations
and bye-laws.
In addition to these statutory duties he has to discharge a variety of
functions which, although comparatively minor in themselves, are of importance
in the maintenance of the public health.
A summary of the work carried out by sanitary inspectors is reported
each month to the Public Health Committee, and more detailed information
is contained in my Annual Reports to the Council and the Ministry of Health.
ORGANISATION OF WORK
The work of the District Sanitary Inspectors is under the supervision
and control of the Senior Sanitary Inspector, who is responsible to the
Medical Officer of Health. The duties of the Senior Sanitary Inspector are
generally administrative and supervisory. He prepares reports for Committee
and attends Committee Meetings, supervises and deals with correspondence
and visits, inspects premises where special action is contemplated, and is the
executive officer specially designated under various Acts and Orders appertaining
to his office.