omen Sanitary Inspectors within the
Metropolitan area range from L100 to L200 per annum, the latter figure
being reached only in two boroughs and in the City of London: whilst
the salaries of the men range from L150 to L350. The average maximum
salary of the women is L150, and the average maximum salary of the men
is L205. Outside London, the salaries of both men and women are lower,
those of the women ranging from L65 to L100, a few rising to L150.
Payments are made monthly, and a month's notice can be demanded
on leaving, though it is frequently not enforced. Another unjust
distinction frequently made between men and women is that the latter
are generally compelled to retire upon marriage, thus enforcing
celibacy on some of our most capable women.

The hours of work are usually from 9 A.M. to 5 or 6 P.M. and to 1
P.M. on Saturdays. If we consider the nature of the work, the holidays
appear most inadequate--viz.: only from two to three weeks per
annum are allowed in London, and from ten to fourteen days in many
provincial towns.

The Health Visitor, as a public official, was not known until 1899,
when several were appointed by the City Council of Birmingham. The
name "Health Visitor" was thought to be more feminine and suitable
than that of Inspector, and it was imagined that she would in
consequence be better received in the homes of the people. As a
private society in Manchester had previously engaged women of an
inferior class and education with the title of "Health Visitor," this
designation was deprecated by women already in the profession. Many
smaller provincial towns, however, followed the example of Birmingham,
and appointed Health Visitors instead of Women Sanitary Inspectors.
It was not until later that the Health Visitor was introduced into
London, and in the following way:--

In the Metropolitan area (exclusive of the City) half of the salary
of all Sanitary Inspectors is paid out of the County Rate, and their
duties are defined in Sections 107 and 108 of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891. As Medical Officers of Health and the public
generally became more and more interested in the question of infant
mortality, Women Inspectors were employed to investigate infant
deaths, to visit houses where a birth had taken place and advise
mothers on infant care, to manage milk depots, to weigh babies, and to
assist at infant consultations, and to do a great deal of work which
hitherto had not been considered th