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9
The deaths from epidemic diseases have been 71.
The fatality of these diseases—or as they are now
termed, "Zymotic," apt to ferment; a kind of fermentation
being supposed to produce the poison causing
them—is indicative of the comparative unhealthiness of
a district. In many instances where deaths from these
diseases are reported, I have examined the premises,
and as shewn in former reports, Bedfordbury and its
courts are distinguished for the largest number of
deaths from epidemics, as well as for great mortality
among very young children.
The activity of our Inspector of Nuisances has
enabled me to report a considerable number for amendment,
and I may congratulate the Vestry on our efforts
having been successful in improving some of our worst
localities—Pipemaker's Alley, Chymister's Alley, and
other courts about Bedfordbury, New Exchange Court,
etc., etc. Upon the whole I can state, from personal
inspection, that the labouring class in our parish is
much better lodged than in neighbouring districts. We
have not many places exhibiting great destitution. One
of the courts in Bedfordbury, Davy Place, may be
cited as a model of cleanliness, and Broad Court,
Duke's Court, and others, as examples of very tolerable
comfort. However, there still remain some places in a
very disgraceful state, as Prince's Court and Taylor's
Buildings. The police have succeeded in reforming
the casual lodging-houses by means of the "Act for the
well ordering of Common Lodging-houses," by which it
is incumbent on the keepers of these houses thoroughly
to cleanse all the rooms, passages, stairs, floors, etc.,
and to lime-wash the walls and ceilings twice every
year; it is surely not unfair to ask that all the houses
let out in lodgings should be equally provided for.
With regard to underground dwellings, I have heard
statements of injury to property to result from