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"Closing of Wells.—In Southwood Lane, a short distance
below the Board-room, there are two surface wells
by the roadside which formerly were an important part of
the water supply to the District. They are now nothing
but a nuisance and an expense. One is still open and a
receptacle for all kinds of refuse, the other has had a pump
placed over it three or four times, which is always out of
order, never of the slightest use and never required. I
would recommend that the Surveyor be instructed to lay
the pipes necessary to drain them oft' and that they may be
finally closed.
"Isolation of the Infectious Sick.—One word on another
very important question—that of promptly removing the
sick in cases of infectious disease.
It is scarcely too much to say, if this could be readily
accomplished, it would at once effect a larger saving of life
than all the sanitary legislation of the next twenty years
is likely to do. In the Metropolis alone nearly 3,000 deaths
from scarlet fever were registered last year, and large
numbers from other contagious diseases also. A magistrate
may order the removal to a hospital of any persons suffering
from infectious disease if they are without proper lodging
or lodged in a room occupied by more than one family.
Also Sanitary Authorities may provide temporary places or
hospitals for the reception of the sick, but have no power
except under the circumstances named, to compel people to
make use of them. It is more than doubtful indeed if
any compulsory power will ever be able to accomplish what
is required. We have seen within the last few months what
a strong objection people have to the removal of their
children sick with fever to hospital. We must look to the
growth of a different sentiment than prevails at present
in such matters, and perhaps to the establishment of institutions
with other and kindlier associations than are usually
connected in the popular mind with hospitals. Is it Utopian
to believe that, when once the educated and intelligent
fully realise its great importance and what an immense
boon it would be to individual families as well as the public
generally some plan might be devised, perhaps at no distant
period, to provide, in every village and town, a comfortable,