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under a pillow or in the pocket is dangerous. Hag or paper, which can
at once be burnt, may be used for this purpose, and people suffering
from consumption should be careful not to spit on the pavement or in
public conveyances, such as omnibuses or railway carriages. A predisposition
to consumption can be acquired by living in damp and dark
rooms, by over-crowding, and by habits of intemperance. The best
protection against this disease is the cultivation of good health by
means of plenty of exercise in the fresh air and sunshine.
Work of the Sanitary Department.—Throughout the Parish 2,856
houses and premises were inspected, and 4,414 re-inspections were
made after order or notice had been served. Orders were made for the
cleansing, whitewashing, and repairs of 1362 houses, house drains were
repaired, reconstructed or new provided in 560 instances, 187 new
closets were ordered to be provided, and 365 repaired, cleansed, and
ventilated. The paving of 125 house yards required to be repaired or
new provided; 49 new dustbins were ordered, and 54 to be repaired;
180 cisterns required to be cleansed, repaired, or covered, and 32
new cisterns provided; three orders were made to provide suitable
receptacles for manure, and 155 for removal of dung and other
accumulations. Overcrowding was abated in five instances, and five
orders were made for the removal of animals improperly kept.
The total number of complaints received during the year was 222,
a decrease of 36 on the previous year.
The number of applications to examine the drainage of private
houses was 165. Many of these houses are of considerable size, and
demand a great deal of the Inspectors' attention; and I may add that
the occupants are becoming more and more exacting, owing to the
increased knowledge acquired by the public upon all sanitary questions.
The total number of orders made for sanitary amendments was 1,150,
and it was necessary to take legal proceedings in 18 instances.
The number of houses registered under the Public Health (London)
Act now stands at 840. These houses are regularly inspected and
orders made for cleansing when necessary. But there are also many
premises in the parish, especially in the Kilburn and West End Wards,