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in the matter. On April 24th an amendment was moved at the Council meeting,
that the matter be adjourned, and the full report of the sub-committee be circulated
to the members of the Council. This amendment was defeated by 23 votes
to 16. The recommendation of the Committee was adopted.
On March 25th, 1908, a deputation from the Stepney Council of Public
Welfare, including the Lord Bishop of Stepney, addressed the Council on the same
subject. The matter was again referred to the Public Health Committee. The
Committee recommended that no action be taken and this was approved by the
Council by 19 votes to 9 on April 8th.
In most sanitary districts with a population of over 100,000, women have
been appointed as Sanitary Inspectors or Health Visitors.
The City of Nottingham was the first Local Authority to appoint a Woman
Inspector of Workshops, which was made in May, 1892. Kensington was the
pioneer in London, appointing two Women as Inspectors of Workshops in October,
1892, while Islington appointed the first woman with the status of a Sanitary
Inspector.
22 Metropolitan Boroughs, together with the City of London, now employ 39
Female Sanitary Inspectors, while six Boroughs, including Stepney, have not yet
made any such appointment.
The argument for such appointments is based upon the assumption that
there are fundamental differences, not only in training, but in both the mental and
physical capabilities of men and women, and due regard should be paid to these
differences in allotting to them their respective roles in Public Health work.
Roughly speaking, these appointments are of two kinds, Sanitary Inspectors and
Health Visitors. In many districts, the duties of a Sanitary Inspector and Health
Visitor are combined in one appointment, and it is worthy of consideration whether
the Council will appoint a Health Visitor with duties limited to such appointment,
or confer upon the appointment the additional status of a Sanitary Inspector.
The duties of a Female Sanitary Inspector include the visiting of:—
(1) Factories and workshops where women only are employed.
The Inspector is responsible for:
(а) Cleanliness and ventilation.
(b) Number employed in each room.
(c) Suitable water closet accommodation.