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call in the Medical Officer of Health when visiting applicants seeking
registration, where he has the slightest doubt as to the suitability of the
premises or the habits or personal cleanliness of the would-be manufacturer
or retailer. The use of glasses for the retail of small quantities
should be strictly forbidden, and wafers only should be allowed. This
pernicious practice must cease.
Rats. The Ministry of Health was approached with a view to
having disused drains sealed off, and they agreed to consider the point
when any legislation concerning rat destruction was proposed. The
County Council said that legislation would be promoted, placing upon
owners or occupiers of property an obligation to notify the Local
Authority on ceasing to use any drains or similar sanitary fitting, and
making it an offence to cease to use any such drain or sanitary fitting
without efficient sealing off.
Public House Urinals. These were found to be good structurally,
though some retarring and cleansing were necessary. A circular was
sent out to the publicans.
Enteric (Typhoid) Fever. A girl died from peritonitis following
upon an obscure illness. At the post mortem, typhoid ulcers were found
in the intestine. Twelve months before, the father had suffered from
gastro-enteritis. Pathological tests failed to disclose a connecting link.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum. The Ministry was approached with a
view to medical men and midwives using antiseptics for the eyes of
each newly-born baby.
By-laws as to Houses let in Lodgings. Draft by-laws were
made by the County Council with respect to houses intended or used
for occupation by the working classes and let in lodgings or occupied
by members of more than one family. The Borough Council felt that
the by-laws were objectionable and could not be worked. The defininition
would include many thousands of houses in the Borough, and
their registration as lodging houses would involve increased staff of
inspectors, and a considerable increase in the number of visits and
inspections.
River Ravensbourne. This river separates Deptford and Greenwich
close to the Broadway. It was stated that papers tended to collect at
both sides of the river and that there was some suggestion of a nuisance.
Some time ago the Council built a concrete retaining wall to narrow the
river and deepen the centre, thereby increasing the force of the current.