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196
salubrity of this great London as a whole. Tliat the "failure" has
not been so exclusively in regard to "administration," as alleged,
no better proof can be desired than the recommendations of the
Commissioners for "amendment of legislation," especially of the
Acts under which the Sanitary Authorities derive their powers.
The subject is too extensive to be entered upon here, but I may
be permitted to observe that the recommendations of the Commissioners
agree closely with the views expressed in my address
on "Metropolitan Sanitary Administration," delivered, in October
last, before the Society of Medical Officers of Health, by whose
direction a copy of the address was forwarded to each of the
Commissioners.
Among other amendments of law recommended, it is proposed
that there should be a simple power, by civil procedure, for the
recovery of damages against owners or holders of property by those
who have suffered injury or loss by their neglect or default in sanitary
matters (p. 56). It is also recommended that mortuaries should be
provided throughout the Metropolis. But this has been done to a
large extent, and what is even more necessary is power to
compel, in suitable cases, the use of mortuaries. The Commissioners
recognize this fact by their recommendation that "in
the event of a death from infectious disease the body should forthwith
be removed to a mortuary in cases where it would other-wise be
retained in a room used as a dwelling by others." They think it
desirable, moreover, "that in any case where the body lies in a
room which is used by other persons, it should, in the same
manner, be removed" (p. 31).
Not the least valuable of the Commissioners' recommendations
is that for the Consolidation of Existing Sanitary Laws, with
amendments in regard to the provision of mortuaries, and in
regard to cellar dwellings; the Sanitary Inspector, in respect of
such dwellings, to occupy the position now filled by the District
Surveyor, who is an officer of the Metropolitan Board of "Works.
Reference is made by the Commissioners to the inequality and
the inadequacy of the sanitary staff in different parishes and
districts, in proportion to population; to the need for improvement