And in 1857 he pleaded for the appointment of an Inspector of Nuisances, which, however, he did not get.
The local authorities had their difficulties in dealing with many of these matters, even when they were disposed or anxious to do so, owing to—
“The imperfection of the powers conferred on them by the legislature, and to the great and stubborn apathy of a poor population.”
And the Medical Officer of Health for St. James’ (1858) attributed blame to the public generally:—
“One of the greatest barriers to the practical efficiency of sanitary arrangements is the ignorance and carelessness of the public. It is frequently seen that where infectious illness occurs, little or no attention is paid to its infective character, and an unscrupulous intercourse is carried on between the members of infected families, not only amongst themselves, but amongst their neighbours, and thus these diseases are propagated in spite of every warning and precaution.”
“I regret,” wrote the Medical Officer of Health for Whitechapel, “that the powers of your Board are not at present sufficient to compel the owners of small house property to provide an adequate supply of water for their tenants.”
The Medical Officer of Health for Westminster wrote:—
“Few of the objects of sanitary improvement can be fairly attained without intrenching upon private interests to an extent which would appear harsh and oppressive. One great obstacle consists in the habits of a great portion of the poor—generally deficient in cleanliness or order; they consider any endeavour to improve their dwelling as an interference, and throw every obstacle in the way. On the other hand, a large number are most grateful for what has been effected.”
But in many matters the local authorities would not take action. In only four parishes or districts in London had public baths and wash-houses been established under the Act of 1846, though where they were in existence “the benefits were immense by promoting habits of cleanliness.”
In Poplar in 1858–9 nearly 40,000 men, and 3,000 women, and 400 children availed themselves of the baths.