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86.
The powers described above render it much easier
for the Medical Officer of Health to exercise control over
aged and infirm persons who are unable or unwilling to
keep themselves and the rooms they occupy clean and
free from vermin. Until the passing of this act these
cases were very difficult to deal with.
One old lady who had been very troublesome to the
other occupants of the house where she lived on account
of her dirty habits, on being informed that she would be
compelled to go to an institution, agreed to go voluntarily.
In another case an old woman who had kept herself
in a filthy condition allowed herself and her room to be
cleansed and cared for by a neighbour. No applications
for compulsory removal have been required up to the
present time.
Disused Drains.
Part III. (Sections 18 to 23) of the London County
Council (General Powers) Act, 1928, deals with disused
drains.
Section 18 defines the expression "disused drain."
Speaking generally the term means any channel work
or apparatus which has been provided or used as a drain
and is not used as such or has ceased to be used as such
and the circumstances indicate an absence of intention
to use it as a drain.
Section 19 extends the provisions in Sections 82 to
85 of the Metropolis Management Act, 1855, relating
to drains to disused drains. These Sections of the 1855
Act give power to the Sanitary Authority to inspect
drains, privies and cesspools, and provide for penalties
on persons for improperly making or altering drains.
They also state that if no default is found the expenses
are to be paid by the Sanitary Authority and that it is
the duty of the Sanitary Authority to cause drains to be
put into proper order where necessary.