Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington]
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14. Trade refuse.
18 & 19 Vic., o. 120, s. 128, p. 71.
15. Infectious disease hospitals:—
Ambulances.
29 & 30 Vic., c. 90, s. 22, p. 645.
46 & 47 Vic., c. 35, s. 5.
16. Disinfecting chamber.
29 & 30 Vic., c. 90, s. 23, p. 645.
17. Defective enforcement of Sanitary25 & 26 Vic., c. 102,8.64,p. 196.
Law.
18. Amendment of the Law: Sum- Various Acts,
mary powers needed.
The Committee reported, in substance, on the several subjects,
as follows:—
1. The Housing of the Working Classes is a "question
that can be dealt with satisfactorily "only by a metropolitan
authority having power to put Lord Shaftesbury's Acts intooperation.
This view was subsequently sustained by the action
of Parliament, which by Section 1 of the Housing of the Working
Classes (England; Act, 1885, authorised the Metropolitan Board
of Works to adopt the Acts if one of Her Majesty's principal
Secretaries of State approves of such adoption.
2. Underground Eooms.—The Committee take note of
Clause 61, Public Health (Metropolis) Bill, 1885, which
proposed to transfer the powers now exercised by the District
Surveyor to the Sanitary Inspector, and recommend, pendinglegislation
on the subject, that enquiry be made by the Inspector
with regard to the rooms scheduled by the District Surveyor, "with
a view . . . to such action by the Vestry as the circumstancesof
each case may seem to warrant."
3. Construction of Drains.—The Committee recommend
the Vestry to encourage the practice of construction of drains
outside the house to junction with the sewer, by their own officers.
4. Inspection of Drains, etc.—The Committee doubt
whether the Vestry have power to recover the cost of opening up
drains of private houses for inspection, even when the drains are
found to be defective, and recommend an amendment of sec. 85
Metropolis Management Act to confer such power.