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16
the inspector to see at once where illegal overcrowding existed ;
and it would enable the local authority to take measures to
remedy such evils and to see that proper accommodation be
provided.
But it would be first necessary to have a survey made of all
such dwellings as are in the occupation of more than one
family, of which a large number exist in this district.
The 23rd section of the Act provides for the disinfection of
woollen articles, clothing, and bedding which may have been
rendered liable to communicate disease to others.
There is no doubt that epidemic disease is continually propagated
by infected clothing.
Even amongst some of the richer classes little is thought
during illness of the danger of communicating disease to the
healthy; and infected articles of wearing apparel are no doubt
often sent to the laundress, and mixed with those belonging
to the healthy, without thought as to the previous disinfection;
and bedding and other appendages are merely exposed
to the air.
But amongst the poor the danger exists to a greater degree,
as they have not the means at their command of overcoming
this danger; and epidemic disease is largely propagated from
this cause alone.
Sewers are made, drains are trapped and attended to, houses
cleansed and lime-whited, and yet this, one of the most fertile
sources of epidemic disease, is usually neglected.
Of all disinfectants, heat is the best; and if a steam oven
were erected in some central part of this district, and a conveyance
procured for the removal of infected articles, and their
delivery in a pure state; medical men in attendance upon
infected cases would be always ready to assist the local
authority in urging this necessity upon the inhabitants, and
epidemic desease would doubtless be much lessened in its
severity.
The 37th section of the Act provides for the establishment
of an hospital or hospitals for the reception of the sick.
Amongst a population of 40,000 persons residing in the
Lewisham District, no such establishment exists.