HH62/1/DUNBAR/39

Transcription

[Page] 38

inspection, issuing of notices, taking of legal proceedings, and
seizure of unwholesome food. When the Food and Drugs Acts
have begun to be enforced samples of adulterated food will have
to be taken for analysis; and in the case of milk, this will often
involve the inspector's staying over night in the locality, so as to
catch the milk carts in the early morning."
In view of such facts, and of the amount of correspondence
necessitated by my own duties in the five Districts of Stirling and
Dunbarton, I recommended that in addition to the County
Inspector two assistant inspectors be appointed, and that I
should further have the assistance of a clerk. These recom-
mendations have been agreed to, and, since I began this Report,
the sub-inspectors have been selected.
I made a subsequent report regarding "Police and other
Assistance in the Health Department." Part of that report is as
follows:- "After full consideration, and after consultation with
Chief Constable McHardy, I am of opinion that it would be of
considerable assistance to the public health work of the county,
if (1) The Chief Constable would instruct his officers and men
throughout the county to inform the sanitary staff of all matters
coming under the notice of the police which might require the
attention of the Sanitary Department; and if (2) the inhabitants
of the various parts of the county were informed by advertisement
or handbills or otherwise, that any information or complaints
referring to sanitary questions, and left at the local police stations,
would at once be forwarded to the Sanitary Department.
"There is another matter in which outside assistance might be
of value. Through Mr. Wilson, County Road Surveyor, information
might be sent to the Health Office, of any new buildings about to
be erected within the Districts. The object here would be to allow
communication to be opened up with the owner, so that he might,
if he were willing, be advised as to the sanitary arrangements and
conveniences of the building. Frequently more money is spent in
making arrangements which have afterwards to be condemned as
nuisances than would be necessary for the erection of proper
structures or the laying of proper drains. In Scotland there is
not, as in England, any power to make bye-laws for the proper
construction of new buildings, and legal action can be taken only
when a nuisance has been created, but by a little advice before-

[Page] 39

hand the object of such bye-laws might to some extent be attained.
I have consulted Mr. Wilson in regard to this matter, and he is
quite willing to carry out my suggestions if the Districts so agree.
"Regarding the police, it is clearly out of the question that
they can be asked to visit infected houses, carry out disinfections,
give advice as to removal of nuisances, or undertake the ordinary
routine duties of sanitary inspectors. And it is also clear that
whatever aid they give must be given by the orders of the Chief
Constable, he retaining full control over the force. "
It appeared to me that if the suggestions contained in these two
Reports were carried out the scheme of administration would be
fairly complete. In addition to the staff entirely occupied in
public health work, there would be in every parish several officials
to whom messages regarding nuisances could be given in order to
be forwarded to the sub-inspectors or to the Public Health Office,
and there would also be timely information regarding the erection
of new buildings.
These proposals have been agreed to and will come into force
so soon as the details are arranged. In addition to the above
assistance, both District Committes have arranged that whenever
in regard to any matter local medical aid is required, I may obtain
and pay for it by fee.
In regard to legal proceedings, I recommended that under
section 7 of the Public Health Act of 1867, the Sanitary Inspector
should be empowered to make complaints and take proceedings
on behalf of the Local Authority, subject in all cases to receiving
a certificate from the Medical Officer and to consultation with the
District Clerk. This recommendation also has been adopted in both
Districts. In only one case has it been necessary to exercise these
powers.

Sale of Food and Drugs Act. - An analyst has not yet been
appointed, so that no action has been taken under this Act.

BYE-LAWS.

Rules and Regulations have been adopted regarding the follow-
ing matters by the Western District Committee:-

(1) Dairies, Cow-sheds, and Milk-shops, under the
Contagious Diseases (Animals) Acts and relative Orders. - Besides