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13
four weeks ending February 28 was 58, which is above
the average. The temperature in the early part of the
month was very low, and, as usual, accompanied with
considerable mortality from lung diseases. Hoopingcough
continues to be unusually fatal.
I would respectfully remind the Vestry that the
question relating to kitchens has not been settled.
Should an outbreak of cholera or other epidemic occur,
and this is not improbable, seeing the very long continuance
of a most healthy condition of the atmosphere;
should any infectious disease attack the occupants of
some of the underground dwellings in the Parish, we
might justly be blamed for allowing families to live in
some of these places. I do not wish to wage war
against all kitchens as dwelling-places. Some are
light, dry, and comfortable rooms, and many industrious
people find them the most convenient residences ;
but I do think it one of our most important duties to
see that those which are fit for dwellings should be
made as light, and kept as clean, as possible, and that
the ventilation be particularly attended to.
I can confidently assert my experience, that if we
insist on a certain amount of cleanliness, we propagate
some love for it, and that many of our working people
only require to be encouraged by examples of order
and cleanliness to adopt them. This is one of the most
important advantages of the laws for the removal of
nuisances ; many act wrong from ignorance only, and
our periodical visitations are unmistakably beneficial
in promoting improvement in the dwellings of the
poor. I believe it would be beneficial to the
pecuniary interest of all owners of houses let out in
tenements, if they would adopt measures to keep
their houses clean and wholesome, which is in many
instances effected by making it the interest of one of
the lodgers to look after these things, and give him