MR. J. W. BRITTLEBANK'S PAPER 205 



let in the light of day, provide a plenitude of fresh 

 air, and I venture to say that the stock keepers them- 

 selves will soon recognize the value of the improved 

 conditions. 



It must not be imagined that I wish to attack 

 landlords. It has been my pleasure to meet many 

 who at great personal sacrifices have carried out very 

 great improvements. The county of Cheshire is one 

 which I visit most, and largely due, I believe, to the 

 administration of the Manchester Milk Clauses, in the 

 first instance, the improvements have been enormous. 

 In many cases the agents have a free hand to carry 

 out any improvements suggested, and much excellent 

 work has been done. 



Here I wish to raise a question of some consider- 

 able importance, and that is, where reconstruction of 

 premises is carried out it has often failed to achieve 

 the object aimed at. 



The responsible work of advising what is neces- 

 sary is too frequently left to a person who knows 

 nothing at all about the work. He may be an expert 

 on drainage and understand the carrying out of many 

 of the requirements of the Public Health Acts, but 

 each man seems to have his own pet idea as to what 

 constitutes a good cowshed. Some of the alterations 

 which I have seen carried out are ridiculous, but it is 

 unfair to blame the individuals concerned, they have 

 little or no technical knowledge of the subject. There 

 could be no better illustration of a little knowledge 

 being dangerous, and, apart from this, it is unfair to 

 ask people to spend money to no purpose. 



In every such case the premises should be visited 

 by a responsible person who shall thoroughly under- 

 stand his subject. It is surprising, even on the most 

 insanitary and apparently hopeless premises, what a 

 little ingenuity will effect. It is fully time that some 

 standard was laid down, and so prevent much of the 

 waste of money which has gone on. 



