London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Southwark 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southwark, Borough of]
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44
In these Bye-laws considerably more latitude is allowed in the
erection of Water Closets than is possible under the present Bye-laws,
but they are more stringent as to details. A certain amount of new
matter has been introduced, particularly as regards Urinals.
The term builder is widely defined and more responsibility now rests
on the person so described in seeing that the Bye-laws are adhered to, as
it does in the recent drainage Bye-laws.
The definition of owner, not defined in previous Bye-laws reads as
follows :—
"Owner" means the owner within the meaning of the Public
Health (London) Act, 1891, but where premises are, without his
consent in writing or connivance, let or sublet by some other person,
the person so letting or sub-letting shall be deemed the owner to the
exclusion of the first mentioned owner.
The word "connivance" occurs in the Bye-laws concerning
Houses let in Lodgings, and causes some uncertainty as to the
interpretation of the term ; it is also very difficult to prove.
As regards the actual work, it is under the present Bye-laws
obligatory to construct a Water Closet so that one of its walls was in
every case an outside wall and cases constantly arose in which,
owing to the only possible site rendering this impossible a Water
Closet could not be erected without infringing these Bye-laws.
Modern building requirements have made it necessary to allow
for this, and provided that certain conditions of light and ventilation
are conformed to, it is possible to erect a Water Closet or Urinal in
previously inaccessiblc positions, artificial light and electric fan
ventilation being now introduced.
It is proposed to prohibit the opening of a Water Closet into an
office or scullery in addition to living rooms, food stores, factories
and workplaces, but it is permitted to allow a Water Closet to open
direct into a bedroom, which, in our opinion, is most undesirable
from a sanitary point of view.
The suggested Bye-laws lay down that where lobbies are
necessary they must have self-closing doors and be lighted as well as
ventilated; this will mean the necessity for providing artificial
lighting in winter months.
A time limit of two minutes for the fillings of cisterns has been
introduced and should lead to more frequent and satisfactory
flushing.
Continued from previous page...
| Defendant. | Cause of Proceedings. | Result. |
|---|---|---|
| Disobedience of Magistrates Order to cleanse contents of room at 72, Red Cross street | Fined 40/- or 3 months imprisonment | |
| Jack Evans, 144, New Church road, S.E. | Neglecting to amend defective gutter at 36, Bronti place | Summons withdrawn, work done, with 10/6 costs |
| Jack Evans, 144, New Church road, S.E. | Neglecting to amend defective roof gutters, &c., at 37, Bronti place | Summons withdrawn, work done, with 10/6 costs |
| Christine Couse, 28, Penton place, S.E. | Neglecting to remove an accumulation of refuse at 28, Penton place | Ordered to do work within 14 days, no costs |
| James Field, 130, High street, E 1 | Neglecting to amend defective flushing cistern at 150, Old Kent road | Summons withdrawn, work done, with 10/6 costs |
| Selina Morris. 23. Bennett street, S.E. | Occupying an underground room separately as a dwelling at 23, Bennett street | Adjourned sine die |
| Neglecting to unstop choked sink at 2, Rockingham buildings | Summons withdrawn, work done, with 3 - costs | |
| Robert Holliday, 28/30, Lower Kenning-ton lane | Neglecting to amend defective roof. &c., at 1, Nebraska street | Summons withdrawn, work done, with 21/- costs |