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"whom the Medical Officer of Health is appointed are of opinion
"that the duties which would thus devolve on him could not be
"performed by him without interference with the due performance
"of his ordinary duties, they may appoint some other legally
"qualified medical practitioner, having the qualification required
"for the office of Medical Officer of Health of the District, to
"make the examinations and give the certificates above referred
" to.
"I am directed to add that the Act does not empower a
"Medical Officer of Health to charge any fee for a certificate
"under it, nor is he entitled to any remuneration for the discharge
"of the duties imposed on him by the Act in addition to the
"salary for the time being assigned to him as Medical Officer of
"Health."
Of course, to effect the purpose of this Act, those certificates
are renewable annually. I may add that, in some instances, I
have had to call upon the owners of some houses to remedy grave
sanitary defects, which, but for the special inspection, might have
escaped observation for some time.
It may be useful to quote the result of the deliberations of
Metropolitan Officers of Health, concerning a reference to them
by the Conference of Metropolitan Members of Vestries and District
Boards, which took place on the 5th December last, in the
County Hall, Spring Gardens. The reference demanded some
common understanding concerning the meaning of the words
contained in Part ii. of the "Housing of the Working Classes
Act, 1890," which runs as follows :—"A condition so dangerous
"or injurious to health, as to be unfit for human habitation."
REPORT.
"Whether a house is dangerous to health mainly depends
"upon—
(a) Site and surroundings.
(b) Construction.
(c) Age and general want of repair.
(d) Nuisances.