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38
Fresh healthy fœces will do no mischief, it is only after
decomposition.
"The Pneumatic or Liernur sewerage system claims
"as one of its first principles, that prevention is
"better than cure, All human fœcal matter which,
"according to Dr. Richardson, is directly or indi"rectly
the origin of no less than 15 of the diseases
"that scourge the human race, should be isolated
"and removed every 24 hours, before it can do any
"harm, this is effected by the Pneumatic system."
If this system accomplishes all that it professes, and
I see no reason why it should not, it will, indeed, solve
the problem of sewage disposal, and of freeing our rivers
from pollution—questions of the first importance.
Before leaving the subject of Epidemic diseases,
I must mention one particular fact which was constantly
being reported to me by Spencer, the Inspector, viz., the
removal of persons recovering from Scarlet Fever to the
sea-side before the process of skinning, (the most infectious
period) was completed.
Mortality.—The total number of deaths registered
as having occurred in this District during the year
was 857, 474 being males, and 383 females, (the
males exceeding the females by 91.) This is a considerable
increase on those of the previous year, when 686 were
registered. Of the above number 183 took place in public
Institutions, viz., 4 in the Patriotic, 1 in the Industrial,
1 in the Freemasons' Schools, and 177 in the Infirmary at
the Workhouse, 75 of which belonged to Battersea, and
the remainder, 102, to the other parishes in the Union.
These 177 deaths are an increase on the previous year by
44, when 133 were returned. Deducting, then, the 177
Infirmary deaths, which, as the inmates are derived from
the whole of the Union, it is only fair to do, it will leave
680 as the correct number of deaths for this out-door
District, *—the 75 which belonged to Battersea will be
taken into account in the Death-rate for the whole Parish.
*Out-door with reference to Infirmary.