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deaths in London in the ten years 1891.1900. Diphtheria is the only disease in regard to
which, so far, no very large impression has been made. Mainly a rural disease until within the
last thirteen or fourteen years, it has since been very prevalent in urban districts and in London.
Notified it has always been since 1889, but it was not until 1889 that, as already stated, sufferers
from it were admitted to the Asylums Board hospitals. Since 1888 the deaths from this cause
have more or less largely exceeded the deaths from scarlet fever, but happily the mortality since*
1898 has been on the decline, and the process, there is reason to hope, will continue, under the
combined influences of notification, isolation, and antitoxic treatment.
Disinfection.—A disinfecting station, and a shelter for persons unhoused during the
disinfection of their homes, yet remain desiderata, and without them the sanitary equipment of
the parish will not be complete. But during the last, thirty years disinfection has been
effectually carried out, rooms being disinfected by a special officer, and the clothing, bedding,
etc., being disinfected and cleansed by a contractor. The cost has been great, especially since,
in 1889, notification came into force, and still more so since the passing of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891, which, with the view of preventing the spread of disease, practically threw
upon the sanitary authority the duty of disinfecting infected houses and articles free of charge.
The annual payment to the contractor varies considerably in different years: the maximum
payment, £1,361, was made in 1896.
Public Mortuary, etc.—Amongst "desiderata" specified in the early reports (1871.2)
were a public mortuary, a coroner's court, and baths and washhouses. A mortuary was provided
in 1883, and in 1900 317 bodies were admitted thereto. A makeshift coroner's court was
provided at the Town Hall in 1888: in 1899 an excellent court, satisfying all requirements, was
erected in the extension buildings. Baths and washhouses were opened in 1888.
Housing of the Working Classes.—The Vestry made regulations in 1884 (under the provisions
of the Sanitary Act, 1866, and the Sanitary Law Amendment Act, 1874), in respect to houses let in
lodgings or occupied by members of more than one family, for the various purposes set out in the
Acts, and re.enacted in the Public Health (London) Act, 1891—a course which had been recommended
to their attention in the Annual Report for 1872. Upwards of 1,700 houses have been
registered with great advantage. In 1885 the Vestry approved " Instructions for the guidance of
the Sanitary Inspectors," under which the drains of many thousands of houses have been re.constructed,
trapped, ventilated, and provided with inspection chambers. Practically, moreover, all waste.
pipes of sinks, cisterns, baths, &c., have been disconnected and made to discharge over, or near
surface gratings outside the house. Very many yards have been more or less efficiently paved and
drained, and altogether a great improvement has been effected in the condition of the houses inhabited
by the poor and working classes.
Women Inspectors.—In 1893 the Vestry, upon my recommendation, initiated a new departure
in sanitary administrative work, by appointing two ladies as inspectors of workshops, laundries, &c.,
where women are employed. I had caused inspection to be made of dressmakers' and milliners'
establishments in South Kensington. The need for supervision, in order to enforcement of the
sanitary provisions of the Factory and Workshop Acts, became apparent; but it was not work suited
to male inspectors. I therefore advised the appointment of women. The report having been
referred to the Sanitary Committee, they recommended the Vestry to appoint two female inspectors.
The recommendation was adopted almost unanimously, and in due course Miss Lucy Deane and Miss
Rose Squire were appointed. A great amount of thought and labour (vide Annual Report for 1893,
page 157), was devoted to organisation of a scheme of administration, preparation of books, forms, &c.,
work in which I was ably assisted by the capable ladies whose services the Vestry had been so
fortunate as to secure. Ere many months Miss Deane was appointed factory inspector, by the Home
Secretary in the late Government, and Miss Duncan took her place. The Home Secretary in the
present Government subsequently deprived us of Miss Squire's services by making her also a factory
inspector. Previously to her departure I had been deprived of the greatly valued services of Miss
Duncan, who now holds the position of factory inspector to the Government of New South Wales.
The vacancy caused by Miss Squire's retirement was filled by the appointment of Miss de Chaumont.
The initiative of the Vestry in this matter has been followed by numerous sanitary authorities in
town and country, and the position of women workers in sanitary administration is now thoroughly
recognised and appreciated.
Water Supply.—Matters relating to the water supply of the metropolis engaged the Vestry's
attention from the year 1872, when the Water Companies' regulations were framed. The Vestry
contended that the sanitary authority should have power to enforce such of the regulations as had
been framed in the interests of public health, especially Regulation 14 which enables the Companies
to cut off all connections of waste.pipes of cisterns connected to drains. The Vestry, supported
by other sanitary authorities, made an unsuccessful appeal to the Local Government Board to