View report page

27
twice as numerous, proportionally, as in Plumstead. The
deaths from Phthisis are 30 per cent, more numerous. The
Enteric Fever deaths and notifications were more numerous,
but Diphtheria less so than in Plumstead.
82. This district has received a large amount of attention in
the past eighteen months, most of the houses having been twice
inspected in that time, with the result that, in some respects,
there is great improvement in its sanitary condition.
In my last report, I gave three reasons for the high mortality
I had found, viz. (1) lowness of site, and high level of the
ground water; (2) contamination of the soil with organic
matter, partly from previous dust deposits, partly from defective
drains; (3) the overcrowded and dirty condition of many
of the houses.
83. The chief improvement made has been in this third
condition. When marked overcrowding was found, it was
abated directly by notice; but the chief abatement has been
indirect, following the proposal to register a number of the
houses occupied by two families. This proposal, in nearly all
cases, had the effect of tenants or lodgers, or both, being
ejected, and the house let to one family.
84. During the last six months, nearly all the drains in this
district have been tested with the smoke test, and where found
defective, which was the case with a large proportion, repaired
and tested with the water test before being passed. I anticipate
that, in future years, we shall see the good effect of these
measures in diminution of Diarrhœa, Enteric Fever, Phthisis,
and perhaps Diphtheria.
85. It is possible that the already noted improvement in
the general and infantile death-rates compared with Plumstead,