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17
told that many are in receipt of parochial relief. I cannot see myself how this impairs
the value of the erection to the poor. I shall keep a special record of the sickness
and mortality in the Pcabody Buildings during the year, so far as my means for
doing so extend, in order to make them the subject of a comparison with the sickness
and mortality of the same classes of persons residing elsewhere.
I must mention in conclusion, that I have been much dissatisfied with the
manner in which of late the cleansing of the courts and alleys have been carried out
by your contractor. Nor have the dust contracts been fulfilled in a manner to give
me satisfaction. The custom of the men employed to collect the dust, of requiring
payment of beer-money, and the mistaken good nature of those householders who
habitually give it has led to the men almost looking upon the gift of money as their
right. The result has been that in many poor localities the dust has been left to
accumulate for weeks together, and then only to be removed on a special requisition
to the Contractor from the Vestry Offices. I do not suppose that the tenants of such
houses as I refer to are altogether free from blame themselves; but they have told
me that the visitation of the dust cart is a rare event. This is certainly not as it
ought to be, and points to the necessity either of some more stringent provisions for
regular visiting of poor localities especially being inserted in the contracts, or else
for a more regular and systematic inspection of dust collecting than is at the present
time in force—perhaps to both of these amendments. I have also had to complain
of the practice, in direct violation of the contracts, of making dust-heaps and sifting
the dust within the parish, and in the immediate neighbourhood of inhabited houses*
This should on no account be allowed. In one case I traced distinctly an outbreak
of typhoid fever to this cause, one patient dying from the disease. The practice is
most dangerous, and for the coming year, at any rate, should be strictly prohibited
I have already in one of my Monthly Reports (No. CIV.) made a recommendation
with respect to the Vestry undertaking the collection of the manure.
I have the honour to remain,
Gentlemen,
Your very obedient servant,
EDWARD BALLARD, M.D., M.R.O.P.
April, I860.
* Various amendments have, on my representation of these facts, been made in the Dusting Contract for
the current year.