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73. The deaths from Diarrhœa are, in proportion to population,
more than twice as numerous as in Plumstead, and the
deaths from Phthisis just twice as numerous ; the notifications
from Enteric Fever were more numerous, and the deaths from
Diphtheria; but the notifications of Diphtheria were less
numerous, and there were no deaths from Enteric Fever.
74. The above results corroborate the conclusions I arrived
at in my special report on this district, and shew that there is
as yet no marked improvement in the insanitary conditions
there pointed out.
75. I believe the chief among the many insanitary conditions
conducing to cause so high a mortality are (1) the
lowness of the site of this district and the consequent high
level of the ground water; (2) the fact that the subsoil is
largely contaminated with organic matter, partly from previous
dust deposits, partly from defective drains; (3) the overcrowded
and dirty condition of many of the houses.
And the remedies are (1) to prevent the rising of ground air
by cementing the basement of houses not already thus protected
; (2) the more thorough inspection of, and use of, the
water test for all relaid drains ; and (3) the enforcement of the
bye-laws for houses occupied by more than one family.
76. The County Couucil bye-laws for new drains, &c., which
enforce the use of the water test, still await confirmation, but
will not, I understand, be long delayed.
The Inspectoks' Work (see Table IX.)
77. The number of houses inspected, house to house, by
Inspectors was 2082, or 460 more than last year. Besides