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53
In my report for the year 1897, I presented a table I had
prepared, showing the number of primary cases of infectious disease
which occurred during the year in houses where defective drains had
been discovered, and compared them with cases occurring in houses
where the drains were not found defective. This year I give a
similar table for the two years 1897-98. From a consideration of
this table it appears that as in 1897, enteric fever and diphtheria
occur more frequently in houses with defective drainage than
scarlatina or erysipelas, but the largest percentage of defective
drains was found in houses where cases of diphtheria had occurred.
In 1897 the highest percentage was in houses where enteric fever
occurred.
It has been suggested that more deaths occur amongst persons
suffering from infectious disease in houses where the drains are
defective than compared with cases occurring in houses where the
drains are not defective. From the data available I do not find that
they lend any support to this suggestion.
EAST LONDON WATER COMPANY AND NEW
SUPPLIES.
During the month of September, whilst the scarcity of water
was greatest in the district, the following report, which explains
itself, was presented to the Water Committee of the Hackney
Vestry by the Public Analyst and myself.
It appears that by Section 5 of the Metropolis Water Act,
1852, a new source of supply cannot be used by a Water Company
without approval by the Local Government Board.
The following is the Section. It may be explained that by the
Public Health Act, 1872, the powers and duties of the Board of
Trade under the Metropolis Water Act, 1852, have been transferred
to the Local Government Board.