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56
The increase in the number of samples during 1908, as compared with
the previous year, is a result of the inspectors being on duty in the evening
according to the arrangements made by the Council last year.
SANITARY STAFF.
The Staff of the Health Department includes the following officers:—A
medical officer of health, public analyst, six sanitary inspectors, three clerks,
a messenger and general assistant who helps in clerical work, three disinfecting
officers, a mortuary keeper, and a keeper for the shelter house.
Through the death of Sir Thomas Stevenson, M.D., which occurred on
July 27th, the Borough was deprived of the valuable services of an eminent
public analyst. He was Public Analyst for Shoreditch for 30 years, and his
loss is much regretted by all who knew him in the Borough. His place was
temporarily filled by Mr. Leo. Taylor, F.I.C., F.C.S., the Public Analyst for
the Borough of Hackney until December 1st, when Mr. H. G. Harrison, M.A.,
F.I.C., F.C.S., was appointed Public Analyst for the Borough. Mr. Harrison
was an assistant to the late Sir Thomas Stevenson.
It was necessary to bring the unsatisfactory character of the work done by
the keeper of the shelter house under the notice of the Health Committee, otherwise
I have to express my satisfaction as to the manner in which the officers
of the department have performed their duties during the year, and my
appreciation of the help they have afforded me in the work of the department.
As regards the work of the clerical staff it may be mentioned that
some 13,205 communications written and printed were issued by the department
during the year. These included 3,159 notices and summonses, 2,204
letters and cards, mainly on matters under the Public Health and Sale of
Food and Drugs Acts, and 669 as to work under the Factory and Workshop
Act, 6,297 communications of various kinds in respect to infectious diseases
and disinfection, and 777 copies of reports and agendas relating to the work
of the department.
In conclusion I desire to thank the Chairman and members of the Health
Committee for the consideration and assistance they have extended to me in
connection with my official work during the year.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
LEWIS T. FRASER BRYETT,
Medical Officer of Health