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22
Various places have been already reported upon, where the ventilation
was most imperfect and utterly at variance with health; as an
example I may mention, the smaller houses in the courts and alleys are
without any means of securing the duo admission of air, which, if properly
effected, would add materially to the local health. This might be
readily obtained, and at a small cost, by the introduction of Arnot's
ventilators in the chimneys, and the substitution of a perforated plate
over each outer entrance, which would thus avail for the double purpose
of light and ventilation.
One of the greatest evils in reference to this subject consists in the
overcrowded state of the houses and their several apartments. In
many instances, the air (which is breathed over and over again) is so
contaminated by the odours arising from this source, together with the
fumes of tobacco, &c., as to be almost irrespirable; and did I not fear
to occupy your time too long, I could detail scenes of which the more
wealthy portion of the Parishes have little idea.
Irrespective of the wretchedness incidental to poverty; fever, small
pox, and other communicable diseases, are propagated with fearful
rapidity, the vitiated atmosphere and crowded room offering but little
chance to the medical practitioner to arrest the course of these fatal
disorders. I trust the period may yet arrive, when the size of the
room shall regulate the number of its recipients.
In Duck Yard, St. Ermin's Hill, and other portions of the Parishes,
the houses were found to be so utterly unfit for human habitations as to
necessitate their either being closed or pulled down; and the leases of
others, in the neighbourhood of Pye Street, having nearly expired, a
further clearance will shortly be made.
I feel bound to acknowledge, which I do most thankfully, the
assistance I have derived from the generality of my local professional
brethren, in the information afforded me of any outbreak or prevalence
of disease; and I am happy to add my belief, that in most instances it
has been arrested by the prompt removal of that which appeared to be
its source.
At the termination of this Report I have appended tables illustrating
the number of deaths in reference to age and disease, and a comparison
with the previous year and the average of the previous ten years: and I
am happy to find, that while in 1855 the number of deaths were 1,785,
and the average of the previous ten years 1,999, in 1856 the deaths
only amounted to 1,629, being 156 less than 1855, and 370 less
than the average before mentioned; and as I believe this will be found
to be the case in the majority of the Parishes iu London, I cannot but
think it affords some proof that the general adoption of stringent sanitary
measures has had its attendant results.
Having during the past year given fortnightly reports in reference
to everything appertaining to my appointment, I feel it would be a work
of supererogation were I to reiterate all that has been accomplished in
the examination of sewers, slaughter-houses, factories, schools, and
places where noxious trades were carried on—examinations of food,
attendances at Police Courts, the maintainance of death registration, &c.
&c.—much too numerous to mention.