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32
The duties of Sanitary Inspectors are becoming broader
as time goes on. There have been many changes in local
government services, and sanitary inspectors, who were the
first public health officers to be appointed, were expected 10
deal only with those very obvious nuisances which offended
against the senses of sight and smell and which records
inform us were to be found in abundance in cities, towns
and villages. The removal of such crude nuisances nowadays,
although very necessary for the comfort and well
being of the burgesses, is, happily, very seldom called for
and consequently forms but a very small fraction of the
modern duties of sanitary inspectors. On the other hand,
environmental hygiene is becoming increasingly important.
It includes such matters as housing accommodation, and
the condition of factories and workplaces etc. and together
with the public milk and food supply it embraces in a
general sense the work which sanitary inspectors are called
upon to perform.
Much time is taken up by interviews with owners of
property and others seeking advice. It is pleasing to be
able to report that increasing use is being made of sanitary
inspectors in an advisory capacity. Owners of property in
the borough are encouraged to seek assistance when in
doubt as to what should be done to improve their property
or to remedy obstinate troubles. These people used to show
obvious reluctance in approaching the sanitary inspector.
This state of mind still exists but in a much reduced degree.
Presumably the fear was occasioned by the possibility that
a visit to the sanitary inspector might result in the owner
being called upon to carry out expensive works to the
property under discussion. It is true that what an owner
thinks is sufficient in the way of works of repair and what
an experienced sanitary inspector considers to be necessary
at the same house are not always synonymous. Wise
owners, however, realize that their property will not
continue to give a good return as an investment unless it
is maintained properly and so they are pleased to avail
themselves of the assistance and advice offered. Many
appreciative letters are received from time to time from
those who have received assistance, whilst the necessity to
resort to legal action to enforce compliance with notices