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concerned with public vaccination, that it might be clothed with
powers to appoint coroners and registrars of births, deaths, &c.
The provision or control of cemeteries might not unreasonably
be one of its functions.' I expressed an opinion that only one
entirely new department would have to be created-—that, namely
of Public Health,' and 1 sketched a scheme of Sanitary administration,
in which the central authority (County Council)
and the local sanitary boards (District Councils) would
have their allotted part, working together for the promotion
of the public health, to which end, after all, all the
work of local administration mainly tends, whether it be
drainage, paving, lighting, water supply, scavenging, or what
else. Under a system thus providing for unity in sanitary
government, there would be no waste of labour, no contrarieties
in the action of different local authorities; but everything
necessary for the public welfare, baths and washhouses,
mortuaries, disinfecting chambers, public conveniences for
both sexes, abattoirs, markets, &c., would be provided, not haphazard,
but on a uniform and consistent plan—while by suitable
bye-laws, bakehouses, and trades and businesses resulting in the
production of offensive refuse, or other form of nuisance, could
be regulated, the central authority framing the bye-laws, the
duty of inspection and immediate control devolving on the
several local authorities.
" The Bill does not realize these views, but it does at least
create a machinery which, by judicious extension from time to
time, may bring about a practical scheme of sanitary administration
which will have the effect of making London more than
ever an example of what may be done to improve the health,
the comfort, and the safety of those whose fate it is to live in
the great cities of the world."*
* It is hardly necessary perhaps, to mention that ray comments were based on
the Bill in the form in which it was introduced by the President of the Local
Government Board,
M