View report page

22
year 1861, 33 only terminated fatally, being a rate of mortality
considerably less than was noted in the corresponding table
appended to the report of the previous year. This fact is very
remarkable, and not a little encouraging, since it shows, that notwithstanding
the increased mortality amongst all classes, this particular
class must have benefited to a considerable extent by the
sanitary improvements that have been effected within the last few
years. The excess of infant mortality alluded to above, it is clear
must have been dependent upon fatal disease, &c., occurring
amongst the families of a class in the receipt of fair wages, and
therefore out of the pale of pauperism; and it is just this class of
persons who are found most neglectful of home duties and responsibilities.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES ADOPTED DURING THE YEAR._AMOUNT OP
SANITARY WORK PERFORMED._CONCLUSION.
It was remarked in my last report that very many salutary influences
had been brought into operation within the sub-district
under the auspices and efforts of your Board, the good results of
which, especially amongst the poor, were every day becoming more
and more manifest.
I have great pleasure in stating that these efforts are being continued
with as much energy as those of previous years. Table VI.,
Appendix, will show that some 800 inspections of houses and
premises have been made; that 44 notices have been served, calling
upon parties to remove existing nuisances, &c.; that 650 feet of
new sewerage have been laid down; that six miles of open sewers,
ditches, &c., have been effectually cleansed; and that between six
and seven hundred other sanitary operations have been performed
during the year, all of which, it may be fairly assumed, must have
had a very important influence in staying the ravages of disease,
and in promoting the health and comfort of the inhabitants.
It only remains for me to express a belief I know to be shared
in by all my colleagues, that the great bulk of the industrious
poor are still placed in circumstances unfavourable to that condition
of health it is most desirable to see them possess—circumstances
which but too frequently forbid the preservation of the ordinary
decencies and moralities of life, and that it is only by well sustained
efforts in that particular direction, and by an earnest diffusion of
the principles of sanitary science, we can hope to stay the havoc
which death annually makes amongst the working class.
WILLIAM CONNOR,
Medical Officer of Health for the Sub-district qf Batteries,