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(c) The state of the walls and floors, whether dirty,
from the tenant's or the landlord's neglect, or in
need of repair.
The general mode of living, particularly with regard to
personal and general cleanliness.
3. The feeding and clothing of children, especially of those
under two years old. Whether the baby is nursed by
the mother or fed by hand ; if the latter, what it is fed
upon.
4. Any cases of illness in the house—
(а) Nature of the disease. If contagious, enquire
when and how contracted.
(б) Whether there is a medical man in attendance.
(c) How far the necessary sanitary precautions are
being carried out.
Chief Zymotic Diseases.—The seven principal zymotic
diseases caused 1,288 deaths during the year, equivalent to an annual
zymotic death-rate of 4 4 (3.5) per 1,000.
If the figure 4'4 be correct then the zymotic death-rate last year
was higher than that of any of the 33 large towns. If the RegistrarGekeral's
figure be taken it reduces West Ham from such an unenviable
supremacy to a position below eight other towns. I have elsewhere
discuiteed the zymotic death-rate and shown how its value is reduced
by dual effect of differences in the method of certifying among
practitioners and differences in the method of tabulation among
Medical Officers of Health; so that while any particular method,
persisted in for a number of years in a district, may render the zymotic
death-rate useful for purposes of comparison in that district, it is