View report page

16
ceeding, from a knowledge of the local effects, to a clear
investigation of the local causes of disease.
The higher death-rate of the past year, resulting as has
been shewn from an excess of contagious disease, strongly
urges the necessity for a renewed and persevering application
of measures adapted for the removal of those
many and various conditions which are found by all experience
to extend and intensify disease of that nature,
and which consist principally of those causes which
prejudicially affect the healthfulness of dwellings. The
fact that nearly four-fifths of all deaths—and, out of the
62 deaths from epidemic diseases, 57 occurred amongst
the labouring classes—sufficiently marks out where these
proceedings are most radically needed; while the very
considerable improvement which has taken place in the
health of this sub-district since the existence of the Board
of Works, furnishes sufficient evidence for the conviction
that such measures, if efficiently and perseveringly conducted,
must be eventually attended with success.
GEORGE EDWARD NICHOLAS, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth.