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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Injuring Closets, dtc.—Section 8 makes it an offence to
injure a closet or other sanitary convenience, or water-supply
pipe, &c., so as to create a nuisance. No provision is made for
a water supply to the closet distinct from the supply for domestic
purposes.
Sanitary Conveniences.—-Section 22 extends to ash-pits, but
ceases to extend to privies, the power of the Sanitary Authority
to provide public sanitary conveniences.
Inspection of Drains, dtc.—Section 21 (2) provides that the
expenses of examination of any of the works mentioned in sections
82 to 85 of the Metropolis Management Act, 1855, if such works
are not found to be in proper order, &c., shall be repaid to the
Sanitary Authority by the person offending—a very proper provision
which I have long advocated. By (3) of the same section,
the daily fine for disobedience of the Vestry's notice to execute
works within the specified time is increased. But properly the
Sanitary Authority should be required (they have the power) to
carry out the works at the cost of the person liable, in case of
default.
Overcrowding.—Section 4 (2) extends provisions of existing
law to an overcrowded part of a house, but no provision is made for
speedy abatement of the nuisance by power being given to eject the
inmates after reasonable notice. The intolerably tedious process
of ejectment, as set out in my 12th report for 1889 (page 128),
will have to be followed. By section 4 (4), certain fines for
offences under the Nuisances Removal Act, 1855, are increased,
but there is no obligation upon the Justices to inflict them upon
offenders.
Unhealthy Houses.—No provision is made for the warranty
of houses, as being fit for human habitation, when let. Such a warranty
should be implied in all contracts for letting and taking a
house. And in the case of a house let on lease, the lessor and not