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44
Overcrowding.
In spite of the overcrowding, and in spite of the wretched
condition of some of the houses, it is very exceptional to find
a room infested with vermin (this is borne out by my report
upon the School Medical Service), it is exceptional to find a
filthy room, and it is exceptional to find an abode in which
some attempt has not been made to mask the squalor inevitable
under the circumstances. All this is, in my opinion, a tribute
to the housewives of this area, more especially when it is considered
what frugal means are at their disposal and what little
change they get from the humdrum of domesticity.
Untidv rooms abound, but it must be borne in mind that when
four, five or even more people occupy one room there cannot be
adequate storage accommodation, even assuming that each
individual is provided with only the barest necessities, which
is too often the case.
As regards sub-letting, it not infrequently happens that a
tenant renting 3 rooms from a landlord will sublet 9, of these
rooms to 2 separate families, and himself with his family occupy
one room. How much this conduces to over crowding is
obvious, also when these overcrowded rooms become insanitary,
as they very often do, it is not the tenant but the landlord
who is called upon to carry out the necessary work, and he
naturally enough puts every possible obstacle in the way of
complying with the Sanitary Notice served. Further, when
there is only one W.C. connected with the house this is very
often the cause of much bitterness between the tenants and sub
tenants, as those on the ground floor strongly resent their
kitchen being made into a thoroughfare by all those wanting to
use the W.C. when this is in the back yard, as is usually the
case.
Inspection and Supervision of Food.
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF
MILK.
During the year 53 samples of milk were taken for bacteriological
examination and investigation as to the presence
of dirt from Cow-keepers and Milk Purveyors (hand cans and
counter pans)—special sterile bottles being used for this
purpose. In the event of an adverse report from the
Bacteriologist the matter is taken up with the vendor with a
view to tracing the source of contamination.