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processes of his trade. These, and the whole of his premises were carefully
examined, and such alterations made at my suggestion, as diminished the evil
as far as was practicable.
Amongst the recommendations which were made relative to special circumstances
affecting the public health, were the two following, which on account
of their importance I beg to repeat here. The first referred to the propagation
of contagious diseases by the retention of the dead within the dwelling-rooms
of the poor. On the occurrence of death in the family of the labouring man,
want of space often inflicts upon him or some of his family the necessity of
dwelling and even sleeping in the presence of the dead. It needs but the
mind to picture the room of death, as the one subservient to all the purposes of
domestic life, to realize the painful incongruity of the circumstances. But there
is stronger cause for reflection. The presence of death from contagious
disease under such circumstances becomes, there is every reason to believe, a
fruitful source for the propagation of contagion. The most that the Medical
Officer of Health can at present do to obviate this evil is, to endeavour to
persuade the relatives of the dead to procure as early an interment as possible.
But such advice is seldom acted upon, for the mind of every one naturally
revolts against any undue haste; moreover the coffin has to be made, and the
convenience of the undertaker and of others consulted. The remedy consists
in the setting apart some small building, in a convenient position, and as
remote as possible from dwellings, for the reception of those who have died
under the circumstances described, during the period intervening death and
interment. The other recommendation, which was made at the beginning of
the year, related to a means of more efficiently carrying out the humane intentions
of the "Vaccination Act," and also to a means of diminishing the
chances which exist for the propagation of contagious diseases at the National
and other public schools, in consequence of children being allowed to return
to school during convalescence from those diseases. Its purport was, that of
inducing the committees of management of such schools to adopt the following
resolutions in relation to these two subjects; viz.—
1. That no child should have admission to the school except upon the production
of a certificate of having been successfully vaccinated. This requires
but little comment. It would secure the vaccination of the great majority
of children, and would inflict no hardship, inasmuch as it would be in accordance
with the law.
2. That no child, absent from school on account of sickness, should be
allowed to return to school except upon the production of a certificate from
the medical attendant, that it might do so with safely to itself and others.
This has been carried out for a considerable time in two or three instances,
but its adoption should be general. The other recommendations have not
been carried out.
Conclusion.
The foregoing statistical information furnishes data for the following
conclusions:—
1. The health of this parish during the year 1859 was not in so satisfactory
a condition as during the two preceding years, as represented by an increase