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4
Ever since the appearance of Cholera in this country
in 1830, the principal means to divert or disarm this
disastrous epidemic have been in active operation: and
we shall profit by the zeal and judgment with which
those means were applied, or suffer in proportion to
one neglect of sanitary precautions. The repeated
epidemics, since that year, on each occasion found out
our weak points, and so indicated to us the best
defence. There can be no doubt, whatever, that the
Country, and London especially, is in a much higher
sanitary condition than was its lot at the time abovenamed.
Notwithstanding the reluctant removal of pigs,
the scanty supply of water to water-closets, and the
tenderness bestowed upon landlords and owners of
small house property, the state of the Metropolis has
maintained a steady progressive improvement. Densely
peopled as is the Hamlet, and receiving, as it does,
continual additions to its population, not only by the
excess of births over deaths, but by immigration, we
shall always find examples of infraction of sanitary rules,
in which are combined most of the elements favourable
to the nurture of any contagious disease. How far
these examples have been watched and cared for, will
bo seen by the tables which I shall presently place
before you. Where there is a redundant and increasing
population, there will be generally over-crowding, and
where there is over-crowding, we are certain to find
disease.
If we could distribute the population, carry fresh
air to every house, secure the rapid removal of ordure
and refuse, find cleanly and regular habits in the
lowest ranks of life, and see that every one was well
fed, clothed, and sheltered, probably we should be able
to enjoy the satisfaction of seeing the last of epidemic