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instances, however, there is no doubt that more frequent inspections should be made
but for this no time is available. To meet this increase of work an additional clerk
was appointed. Since, with the exception of the appointment of a health visitor,
no additions have been made to the staff of the department.
In 1903, the Health Committee by resolution ordered each of the sanitary
inspectors to take not less than eight samples every fortnight under the Sale of Food
and Drugs Acts. Although this number was subsequently reduced, the effect of
the Committee's resolution was to practically treble the amount of work under these
Acts. This meant that a very appreciable amount of the time formerly available
for sanitary inspection had to be used for the purposes of these Acts.
The London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1894, may be mentioned
as adding to the work about this time. It contains amongst others certain provisions
dealing with verminous rooms.
Arising out of a reference from the Council as to the appointment of a special
inspector to carry out all the sanitary duties appertaining to food in the Borough,
the question of the adequacy of the sanitary staff again came under the consideration
of the Health Committee early in 1905. I reported on the subject and directed
attention to the increases which had taken place in the work the sanitary staff was
called upon to perform, pointing out that the six sanitary inspectors in the service
of the Borough Council were not then sufficient in point of number to adequately
perform all the duties required of them. I advised the appointment of an additional
male inspector possessing special qualifications as regards food inspection, and also
of a female sanitary inspector for special duties, including amongst others duties
now performed by health visitors, such as giving instruction as to the rearing of
infants and making enquiries as regards infantile mortality. The matter was
considered by a sub-committee of the Health Committee who recommended the
appointment of a male inspector qualified as suggested and reported to the Health
Committee accordingly. Their recommendation was, however, not adopted by the
Health Committee who were of opinion that the staff of sanitary inspectors was quite
adequate to carry out the duties mentioned, and that an additional inspector was
not necessary, and further, that a female sanitary inspector was not desirable. The
Committee reported to the Council accordingly and the Council adopted their report
The London County Council (General Powers) Acts of 1907 and 1908, may be
alluded to as placing additional duties on the shoulders of the Borough Council
in respect to water supplies of tenement houses and the sanitary regulation of premises
used for the sale of food for human consumption, thereby increasing the work
of the sanitary staff.
The most marked increases, however, are those which have taken place as the
result of the action of the school authorities in reporting the homes of children with
verminous bodies and clothing, and through the orders made by the Local Government
Board as to pulmonary tuberculosis or consumption.