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177
Report of Inspector, Bow East Division.
Public Health Offices,
Bow Boad, E.
December 31st, 1906.
To the Medical Officer of Health.
Sir,—
In detailing the sanitary work carried out in the Bow East
Division during the past year I have to observe that nothing of any
particular moment has engaged my attention during the period, but, on
the contrary, the duties have been more or less exceptionally routine in
character. This has, no doubt, largely arisen from the continued attentions
in the past ten years, during which time, you are doubtless aware, much
work of a concrete and lasting nature has been executed, and it is gratifying
to find that at last the solid work of the past years is shewing some effect
in the great reduction of the serious sanitary defects discovered, as well
as the probable reduction of diseases usually associated with those defects.
Indeed the number of cases of notifiable diseases occurring within the
past twelve months has been remarkable by reason of the pronounced
diminution bearing most favourable comparison with any previous year,
and yet withal more ground has been covered with bricks and mortar from
year to year till the uncovered portion is now reduced to a minimum.
This is as it should be, where there is sowing, reaping should follow,
and we are encouraged in realising our work has borne fruit. By this process
we are also permitted to discharge the continued extra varying duties of a
more trivial description which are attached to us from time to time, duties
of a more routine character, yet none the less important from the public
health point of view, and which include persistent visitation of milkshops
at short periods, inspection of bakehouses, ice cream shops, coffee shops
and eating houses, outworkers and workshops, and canal boats, offensive
businesses within and without the district, smoke nuisances, slaughterhouses
and premises used for the preparation of foods.