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14
from special disease, produced also a corresponding increase (although
probably not to the same extent) in its mortality from general
disease, this must be received as a minimum computation, and, at
the same time, one which cannot be considered as erring except on
the side opposite to exaggeration. Whence the cause of this excessive
mortality amongst our poorer brethren ? Here is the answer: —
Of the houses in which these 47 deaths from epidemic disease occurred,
14 had bad water and 23 none; 34 had defective drainage and 8 none;
31 were badly ventilated (8 of them having no back-doors or windows);
23 overcrowded; 8 out of repair; and 19 damp and dirty. The houses
were situated in localities, 35 of which were badly drained, and 6 were
crowded courts, unpaved, without thoroughfare, and consequently
damp and ill-ventilated. But some had several and some all of these
defects combined, the details of which can only be satisfactorily shewn
in a tabulated form, such as I subjoin, an examination of which should,
I think, go far towards convincing the greatest of sanitarian infidels of
the direct relation which exists between diseases of a contagious nature
and certain conditions of houses called, in consequence, sanitary evils.

* Four of these occurred at the Asylum, and one at the Prison.