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20
FUR SKIN DRESSERS.
During the year special attention was given to the condition of the premises
ascertained to exist in Shoreditch coming under the bylaws made by the London County
Council under the provisions of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, for regulating
the conduct of the business of a dresser of fur skins, which means any business in
which skins or pelts from the carcases of animals are cleaned, soaked, scraped or
otherwise treated to retain and preserve the wool or hair. Briefly, the bylaws contain
provisions relating to the removal of offensive skins, the disposal of refuse, the
prevention of effluvium from offensive liquids, the repair and cleansing of floors and
walls, the cleansing of receptacles and utensils, the limewashing of walls and ceilings,
the construction of the walls, paving, and alterations and repairs. There are also
provisions for securing the access to the premises of duly authorised officers, for the
punishment of offenders, and for regulating the mode of application to the London
County Council for sanction to establish anew the business of a dresser of fur skins.
The bylaws were allowed by the Minister of Health on March 22nd, 1922.
The businesses in Shoreditch coming under the bylaws are situate at 34, Anning
Street, 12, Northport Street, 110, New North Road, 32, Retford Street, and 2, Short
Street. The premises were visited by the senior Inspector and placed on the register.
They were all found to more or less contravene the bylaws, and the necessary notices
were served by order of the Health Committee, indicating the works required to bring
the premises into compliance with the bylaws. The notices were complied with, floors
being properly paved and drained, walls rendered impervious and cleansed and
limewashed, and suitable receptacles for filth were provided.
VERMINOUS HOUSES.
The houses in which it was necessary to take measures on account of the presence
of vermin numbered 328, and some 728 rooms were dealt with during the year.
Sanitary notices were served where necessary and the usual steps were taken. In a
large proportion the cases came under our notice through intimations from the
School Authorities.
During the year the homes of some 213 children, 72 boys and 141 girls, notified
as verminous by the School Medical Officer, were reported with a view to the homes
and bedding, where necessary, being dealt with by the Sanitary Authority on the
children being cleansed and their clothing disinfected at the cleansing stations of the
London County Council in the neighbourhood. Intimations were received that 37
boys and 55 girls had been given the opportunity of being cleansed at the cleansing
stations, that in the cases of 36 boys and 63 girls statutory notices had been served
upon the parents to cleanse the children within 24 hours under Section 122 of the
Children's Act, 1908, and that in the cases of 2 boys and 25 girls legal proceedings
were pending for non-compliance with the requirements of Statutory Notices under
the Act mentioned. In a number of instances the same children figured more than
once upon the notices and their homes had to be visited and dealt with accordingly.