Towns > Edinburgh > 1846-1975 - Post Office Edinburgh and Leith directory > 1899-1900

SANITARY PROTECTION ASSOCIATION.
Medical men are united in ascribing mucli ill-liealth and loss of life to the insanitary
condition of dwelling-houses. No one, therefore, should enter upon even a short occupancy of
a house without first obtaining something of the nature of a guarantee that it is in a sanitary
condition, and that tenancj^ of it will not injuriously afiect the health of the household.
No such guarantee should be accepted unless it be furnished by competent authority, and
based upon a careful examination of the house, and the application of the recognised tests.
Further, no guarantee should be accepted which does not bear a recent date. No single
inspection can ensure permanent efficiency, and methodical inspection from time to time is
absolutely requisite as a protection against inevitable decay, neglect, and accidental disturbance.
None of the officers of the Association having any pecuniary interest whatever in the work
carried out by Members, they can have no object in recommending unnecessary or expensive
alterations ; while, on the other hand, the Engineers have no necessity to hurry over their
inspections, they being paid fixed scdo/ries, quite independently of the number of cases they
deal with. The work done is of the best ; the Engineers are well-qualified men, and, as far
as the present staff is concerned, of considerable experience in the Association's particular
work. Therefore it is thought that under no other system are Members likely to have their
work more carefully and more economically done.
THE OBJECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION ARE-
1. To provide its Members, at moderate cost, witli such advice and supervision as shall ensure the
proper sanitary condition of their own dwellings, and of temporary lodgings in Edinburgh, at a singUfee.
2. To enable Members to procure practical advice, on moderate terms, as to the best means of
remedying defects in houses of the poorer class, in which they are interested. To aid in improving
the sanitary condition of the city.
WORK OF THE ASSOCIATION.
The first inspection entails very little disturbance of household arrangements. It is followed
by a detailed report, making specific recommendations, if any improvements in the household
arrangements are thought necessary. The Members are not bound to carry out these
recommendations. The Reports fnrni.shed are considered to be strictly confidantial.
The Association confines itself to Inspection, Advice, and Supervision ; does not execute
any work, has no connection with any establishment for Engineering or Plumber work :
consequently the advice given is absoluteli/ disinterested.
SUBSCRIPTION.
Membership in Edinburgh is constituted by an annual payment of £1, Is. There i.s no
Entrance Fee.
For Rates for Dundee, apply to the Local Secretary, Mr. Tosh.
Country Houses. — The Special Rates for the inspection of Country Houses are noted
below : —
I. The Fees charged by the Association are based upon a time-rate of £2, 2s. per diem ; a day
being estimated as of seven hours' duration, for inspecting or repoitiiig.
II. Travelling and incidental expenses are charged as incurred.
III. Time spent travelling, and expenses incurred upon journeys when two or more properties are
dealt with, are apportioned among the clients interested.
PRIVILEGES OF THE MEMBERS.
Each Member is entitled to the following privileges in respect of property within the
Municipality of Edinburgh : —
1. A Report by the Engineer of the Association on the sanitary condition of one dwelling or property,
with specific recommendations, if necessary, as to the improvement of drainage, water supply, and
ventilation.
2. The supervision of any alterations in the sanitary fittings which may be carried out by the advice,
or with the approval, of the officers of the Association, including the checking of Plumbers' and other
tradesmen's bills, and of estimates for work recommended by the Engineer of the Association.
3. Ad. Annual Inspection of his premises by the Engineer, with a report eac/i i/car as to their sanitai-y
condition. At the Inspection the Member must cause his Plumber to assist, and to send to the Associa-
tion's Office for the Smoke-testing Apparatus.
4. Each Member by his Annual Payment secures the above pi-ivileges in respect of one dwelling or
property occupied or designated by him. Should he be interested in two or more dwellings or properties,
he may secure equal privileges in respect to tlieni all by paying the annual subscription in respect of each.
If he fail, from any cause, to accept the offer of a second annual inspection, he shall, ipso facto, be liable to
pay £2, 2s. (instead of £1, Is.) for the single inspection made.
5. The Association is also prepared to inspect and report on houses not to be permanently occupied
{e.g. apartments temporarily rented), on the application of House Agents, at an increased rate of charge for
the Single Inspection and Report.
6. Stables, Lodges, etc., are inspected at a fee of 10s. 6d. additional, when the work can be done,
along with the house, at one operation.