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present emergency. The work of my department lies in another
direction, and is determined by the sections of the Sanitary Act relating
to infectious diseases. Under these sections we visit every house where
we learn that Small.pox has entered, and give printed directions for the
prevention of contagion; we supply disinfectants for use during the
illness, and when the disease is over, direct, and so far as we can superintend
such disinfections as we have it in our power to order. The
great difficulty in dealing with the epidemic at the present time is, that of
providing for the proper isolation of the sick. The Hospitals at Highgate
and Hampstead are overflowing,so that numerous cases have to be treated
at home in the rooms occupied by other members of the same family,
and where every facility exists for the diffusion of the disease. The
present want is Hospital accommodation, and this the Yestry, as the
nuisance authority, is empowered by the 37 section of the Sanitary Act
to provide. I beg to suggest that they should lose no time in availing
themselves of this power. Of coarse, it will involve some expense for
furniture and a small staff; but there are now in the possession of the
Parish unoccupied buildings, a part of which might be appropriated to
the purpose with great advantage to the public. Another difficulty I
meet with, lies in the absence of any place to which a family can be
temporarily removed while the necessary disinfections are being carried
out. I should be glad if a furnished room or two could be placed at our
disposal in the same buildings, as a place of temporary refuge under
such circumstances.

EDWARD BALLARD, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health.
Yestry Offices,
January 9 th, 1871.