View report page

3
Report of the Medical Officer of Health, for the first Quarter, 1857.
3,128, with them 372. The influx towards St. George's is every way great. We import
poverty largely notwithstanding we are already full of it. I have to thank Mr. Churchwarden
Gilpin for valuable information upon this point. It appears that out of 7,000 houses
in this Parish, only 639 rate above £50; 2,265 over £10 and under £50; the remaining 4,000
rate under £10, or are farmed at from £2 10,s. to £5 10s. This proof of the poverty of our
Parish shows how little we can spend upon sanitary improvements, while we have to bear
not only our own burdens, but the burdens also of the rich men of the City and the West
End, and yet as we see by our Mortality Table it is literally death to leave things as they are.

For further information I beg to refer to the table comprised in the Report. I have
not thought it necessary to reiterate here the various points mooted in my individual Reports.
I have to request your authority for Printing this Report. I receive most valuable papers
from other Officers of health, and I am anxious to reciprocate, so far as I am able, the benefit
so conferred; I regret much that in several districts Reports are not printed and circulated,
the more so as the interchange of the individual thoughts of so many officers practically
engaged in advancing the public health cannot but be of the highest value to the communities
among which the officers reside.
I cannot but add, that I continue to receive the most satisfactory assistance and co-operation
from the Inspector.
(Signed) WILLIAM RENDLE.