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30
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF
HEALTH.
Vestry Hall, Kensington,
Sanitary Department, 1868.
Gentlemen,
I am happy to state that since your appointment of two additional
Inspectors but few complaints have been reported at the Vestry Hall
respecting nuisances injurious to health. Your Sanitary Inspectors have
been rcgnlarly employed in visiting the houses of the poor, firstly, with
regard to the cleanliness of their habitations; secondly, with regard to the
ventilation of the rooms, and overcrowding; thirdly, with regard to the
condition of cisterns; and fourthly, with regard to the constant supply of
water to the closets, the removal of refuse from the ashpits, the trapping
of drains, and the abolition of cespools.
The mean illuminating power of the so-called cannel gas has been
equal to rather more than twenty-one sperm candles (twenty being the
number required by Act of Parliament); the pressure has, however, been,
at times, very low. There has been but a very small quantity of sulphur,
and almost or entirely an absence of sulphuretted hydrogen. The tests,
however, have always shewn the presence of ammonia.
The water supply has, on the whole, been good, the amount of
organic matter averaging about .515 of a grain per gallon; thus showing
the vast improvement that has been achieved since our water supply has
been obtained above tidal influence.
During the fifty-two weeks of the past year, from January to
December, the number of deaths registered in the Parish amounted to
1933.

Being less by 33 than the return for last year.
The number of deaths occurring under 5 years of age was 755
being 39.05 per cent. of the total number of deaths, whereas last year the