Dr. S.W. Wheaton's report to the Local Government Board on diphtheria in the Enfield Urban District and on sanitary administration by the Urban District Council.

  • Wheaton, S. W.
Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Dr. S.W. Wheaton's report to the Local Government Board on diphtheria in the Enfield Urban District and on sanitary administration by the Urban District Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Disinfection.—The Council have a disinfecting apparatus made by Messrs. Manlove and Alliott. This is situate at the sewage farm. {d.) Administration by the Urban District Council. The medical officer of health is Mr. Wm. P. Warren, L.R.C.P., L.R.C.S., L.M.Edin., of Enfield Highway. He was appointed by the district council on June 25th, 1908, in succession to the late Dr. J. J. Ridge, hut his appointment has not yet been approAmd by the Board. He holds the appointments of district medical officer, public vaccinator, and police surgeon, Mr. Warren, who has no diploma in public health, has been in general practice in the district for 26 years. The late Dr. Ridge held in addition the ])Ost of superintendent of the joint hospital for infectious diseases. When the appointment of medical officer of health became vacant the Board, in reply to a letter from the district council concerning the terms of the appointment, wrote on May 27th expressing the opinion, that, in view of the large increase in the population of the district, the question ai’ose whether much more time should be given to the discharge of the duties of the office than had hitherto been the case. They suggested that if an arrangement for the discharge of the duties of medical inspection of school children by the medical officer of health were made, there might be sufficient work to occupy the whole time of an expert officer at adequate remunera- tion. In reply the council stated on June 12th that they had delegated their powers under the Education Acts to an Education Committee who had appointed a lady medical officer at a salary of £300 per annum, and “ the council were advised that the whole of her time would be fully occupied in the duties of medical inspection of school children.” “ Under these circumstances, and in view of the fact that the council had an exceptionally good inspector of nuisances, who has the benefit of two certificated assistants in addition to two clerks, the council felt that there was not sufficient work for a whole time medical officer of health.” “ They had accordingly decided to appoint a part time officer at a salary of £150 per annum.” On June 26th, the council applied to the Board for their sanction to the appointment of Mr Warren on these terms. To this the Board replied expressing regret at the decision of the council and asking them to reconsider their pro- posal. To this the council replied repeating the arguments which they had already brought forward, adding that “ although the population was steadily growing the improvement in the manner in which the drains are now laid and other sanitary requirements ai’e carried out is so great that they only require regular super- vision, which work the council felt could be better done by an ex- perienced sanitary inspector than by a medical man,” also “that although Mr. Warren held other appointments he had three partners to whom he could delegate his private work, as under the terms of the appointment he was to devote the necessary time to enable him adequately to perform the duties prescribed by the Board’s Orders and the Public Health Acts.” The council declined to reconsider their decision The Board declined to sanction the appointment with a view to repayment of a moiety