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Table V. in the Appendix gives as many as 262 more
cases amongst the out-door poor treated by the Union
Medical Officers than in the preceding year. The total
number of out-door poor treated in the past year was
6,299, and the number of resulting deaths 237; thus
giving almost precisely the same percentage of deaths to
cases treated as last year, viz. 3.7.
Sanitation.—In speaking of the sanitation of the past
year, Table No. VI. Appendix, is referred to as pointing
out better than any verbal description can do, that which
has been accomplished in this direction throughout the
District. Perhaps the most important work of the year
has been the completion of additional sewerage to the
extent of 19,589 feet. The careful inspection of upwards
of 6,000 houses and premises has led, as may be imagined,
to very many sanitary improvements of a beneficial character.
The cases investigated by the Magistrates (17)
were less by one than in the preceding year. These investigations
comprised a somewhat larger number than
usual of enquiries into alleged nuisances from the keeping
of pigs. In the Sub-district of Battersea especially, the
complaints against pig keeping have been both numerous
and urgent, repeatedly raising the question of the effect
on health of large piggeries in crowded neighbourhoods.
That a small number of pigs may be kept comparatively
clean by attention and the adoption of efficient drainage,
but few will be disposed to dispute; but where drainage
and water supply are defective or absent, and a very large
number of animals are crowded into small spaces-manuremaking
constituting a prominent object of their keepersthen
there appears good grounds for the interference of
the authorities, and it is hoped that the Legislature will
not long delay the consideration of this important matter,
with the view of giving to Vestries and Local Boards a
greater control over all piggeries, and empowering
them to license such places, in the same way as they now
do the slaughter and cow-houses. It is feared the promise