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stated in a trade journal: a baker in the enjoyment, doubtless, of
freedom from official inspection, and undesirous of coming under
unofficial inspection, having written to a factory inspector to
enquire whether a sanitary inspector had any right to make an
inspection of his bakehouse? and obtained a reply in the negative.
In some parishes, I believe, all inspection of bakehouses is at
an end; i.e. official inspectors do not inspect, and sanitary inspectors
have ceased to inspect. In this parish, however, the inspection of
bakehouses has been systematically continued with little objection
on the part of the bakers; and many "notices" for cleansing, etc.,
have been duly complied with, when, as is seldom the case, a
verbal request for white-washing, etc., had not been immediately
respected. In only one instance have we been compelled to resort
to the Magistrates—and in that one successfully—for assistance.
The factory inspector in the report above quoted, says, that in
country bakeries he "finds cleanliness, ventilation, and light, for
the bakehouses were built for their purpose;" and it is, no doubt,
the fact that many of the defects of London bakehouses arise from
faulty position and construction, they not having been "built for
their purpose Yet much may be done and in truth must be
done, to improve their condition," and the sooner the better. But
legislation will be found necessary to secure the required improvement.
It is a monstrous fact that an average bakehouse in the
east end of London, if the inspectors' report may be relied on, is
infinitely less fit, in point of construction, position, and condition,
for carrying on the manufacture of the "staff of life," than many
a slaughter-house. And if the Government, yielding to the advice
of sanitarians, has seen fit to take measures for securing the
proper construction and becoming cleanliness of places where an
"offensive trade" is carried on, is it too much to hope that they
may be induced to take measures for the reform of bakehouses ?
The manufacture of bread as carried on ordinarily by "seminude"
men is open to objection, and this might and should
be put an end to by a law, requiring the substitution of
machinery for manual labour. Bye-laws should be framed to
regulate the construction of bakehouses and flour stores, to
provide for cleanliness by cemented and painted walls; impermeable
floors, furnishing no holes for "insects;" and for light,
ventilation, etc. There should be no drain inlet within the