HEALTH INSPECTORS' GUIDE.

SECTION I.

A Health Inspector is the agent of the Local Board of Health; it is his duty to carry out the instructions of the Board and to inform himself as to all conditions which can, or do, unfavorably affect the health conditions of the city or district to which he is assigned.

NEEDS OF HEALTH INSPECTORS.

I. KNOWLEDGE.-Where the people are fully alive to the necessities of sanitary administration this means a great deal. In England and in some other countries the Health Inspector must have graduated after a course of three or four years of sanitary instruction. He is expected to have some of the varied knowledge which belongs to the architect, the engineer, the builder, the physician and the chemist. We cannot, at present, require such a standard. There must, however, be knowledge of what is meant by good drainage, a healthy house, healthy surroundings, a proper water-supply, proper provisions for the removal of liquid refuse or garbage, healthy conditions of streets and highways, and in general whatever constitutes a nuisance hazardous to the public health. There must also be knowledge of the chief laws under which Boards of Health operate, and especially those parts of the laws which define nuisances and their mode of abatement and the duties of Health Inspectors. Most of these are in the law as found in Chapter LXVIII., Laws of 1887, entitled "An act to establish in this State Boards of Health and a Bureau of Vital Statistics, and to define their respective powers and duties," and especially in Sections 12, 13, 14, 24, 28 and 31 of said law. Circular LX. of this Board contains this law, together with references and directions to it. In the same circular many other collateral laws are referred to. This can be had by any Health Inspector on request by

postal. He should also have for reference at home, a file of all the circulars of this Board. The next source of information are the ordinances of the Local Board of Health, which give more concise detail as to requirements and penalties, and as to the nuisances especially to be dealt with, although power to abate a nuisance not named also exists. (See Section 24 of the law referred to.) Both the law and these ordinances should be very familiar to the Health Inspector.

II. TACT.-The Health Inspector must have tact. This also means a great deal. It means, first of all, politeness. However much decision and plainness of speech may be needed at times, courtesy and persuasion are much oftener needed. It is natural for persons to claim supremacy in their own homes and not to regard anything they do or suffer to exist, as a nuisance. A kind explanation of the evil, of the rights of others and of the law often avails. All that prudence, good judgment and firmness mean are to be in exercise. Temper and coarse language are never needed. We have known Inspectors who were resisted at first, come to be valued as of the greatest service to the same individual when nuisances existed or sickness occurred. Where there is forcible resistance, report must be made to the Board or an officer summoned.

III. FAITHFULNESS.-The man who is looking for an easy place should never seek the office of a Health Inspector. It is a steady, busy and responsible work. He must know it is for life and health as well as for pay that he is serving. If the pay is inadequate, he must hope for reward in a sense of duty done, and in such increase as the Health Board generally gives, as soon as it can, where it is able to see good work and good results. Other places may be rightly sought for party service, but for this there must be other tests.

IV. METHOD.-The Health Inspector needs to be an orderly man. When he inspects a nuisance complained of, he must have clearly before him what he is to find out about it. When he inspects a house, he must finish the cellar before he gets to the highest story, then to recall some important question admitted. To this end he must have his own book of reference and his memorandum-book to put down just what he finds. If he trust to memory he will blunder. His daily report should be submitted or taken down in writing, in order that it may be a record and prevent unnecessary visits. Samples of forms and suggestions are furnished from this office.

INSPECTION OF THE GROUND LOCALITY.

The Inspector of any city or district should at first acquaint himself with the character of the ground or foundations of the city; both as to its natural and artificial conditions. He needs to know the structure for several feet down, whether rock, clay, sand or whether porous, or holding water, and how much of rich soil there is on the top. It is not generally the same all over the district. Note the facts and where the ground is apt to be wet and damp. No ground is fit to build on unless the sub-soil water-level is ten feet below the surface. If not this, it should be under-drained. Wet ground, even where the surface has no water on it, is often a cause of ill health. Drain and fill up wet cellars and basements, and on wet ground have no cellar. Know where all water-pipes, gas-pipes and sewer-pipes are laid, what depth, of what material, where they intersect. Water-pipes often, leak and keep the ground damp. We have seen lines of gas-pipe so leaky at each joint as that a match would cause a flame, and have seen sewer-pipes put down that let out along their course half of the liquid sewage. A leaking sewer-pipe may do other harm if near to a thin or broken water-pipe.

SANITARY MAP.-Urge your city to have a sanitary map. We have specimens of such for Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne, Elizabeth, &c., showing kind of soil, of pipes, places of old streams and all underground conditions. In the absence of such you may get many facts as to ground from cellars, &c. Much as to sewers and bends and joinings, and as to gas-pipes and water-pipes from companies. Thus, in general, should the Health Inspector seek to know about the underground, as it will aid much in overcoming some evils. Recently in New York city, an outbreak of disease could be traced by the course of a disused filthy sewer that had been abandoned. If an Inspector will note the ground where holes for any purpose are being dug in it, and the location and condition of pipes when workmen are putting them down or repairing them, he will come to know much as to them. He should keep notes of all facts observed.

SURFACE GROUND OF DISTRICT.

This must be noted as to its soil, whether clayey, gravelly, muddy, naturally wet, &c., and as to the depth of the soil or compost surface

before you come to natural ground. Of what kind and in what condition are the pavements? If none, what is the road-bed? Is the surface even or has it places that hold water? Are there any pond holes or stagnant pools? What refuse or foul water is thrown in the street, and where? Are gutters kept so as to carry off surface-water? How is the street swept and how often? Is it watered and when? Has it too many shade trees? Has it elevated railroad, telegraph or electric light wires? Does the street get sunlight?

EXAMPLE OF INSPECTOR'S REFERENCE NOTES ON STREET

OR DISTRICT.

Willow street extends from Duane to Grove street, four streets intersect it between these, John, Chestnut, Holly and Bounty streets. Mostly built up-a few vacant lots-some wet-surface of street good grade-well paved-kept poorly-surface ground naturally sterile. After two feet of clay, gas-pipes, and water-pipes and surface-pipesnear each other about middle of street-sewer-pipe lowest, about six feet-water-pipes five, gas-pipes four-sewer brick-two feet diameter and foul sides-man-holes or grating at intersecting-pipes of each street-sewer poorly built-connection made under inspection-about one-half of the houses connected-water-pipe connections about onequarter of the houses. (See Circular LII., Hand-Book.)

INSPECTION OF DWELLINGS AND PREMISES.

An Inspector, in asking permission to inspect private property, should' always have either a badge or the city seal, or some writing that will attest his office and his right of inquiry. Unless when asked by the owners, he should never inspect a house except between sunrise and sunset. He should suit himself to the convenience of occupants unlessa speedy report is necessary. Any interference should at once be reported to the Board or the assistance of an officer be sought. In such cases, counsel of the Board will direct modes of procedure. It is well for some member of the Board occasionally to accompany the Health Inspector. In any case where free consent is not given, the Inspector should be accompanied by another person. Where cities have adopted a plan of thorough house-to-house inspection, we have never known of any serious difficulty. In case of special inspection,