Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth District, The Board of Works (Clapham, Putney, Streatham, Tooting & Wandsworth)]
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abated, or in default their removal, has, no doubt, caused
the proprietors to realise their position and the necessity
of cleanliness; but, until the matter shall be taken up by
the Metropolitan Board of Works, and every pig-keeper
made subject to Special Order in Council, which shall contain
provisions for the proper carrying on of his business,
and compel his compliance with such provisions before
obtaining a license, we cannot in a district like this be
free from complaints ; it is an urgent matter, and requires
immediate attention.
The cow-houses, dairies, and milk-shops, are now subject
to Special Orders under 41 and 42 Vict. ch. 74. The
regulations were made in February, are most exhaustive
and necessary, and must prove A source of comfort to the
persons living near them; whilst those relating to the
contact of persons suffering from infectious disease with
the cattle, or vessels used for containing milk, &c., will
tend to put a stop to one active source of contagion.
Mortality.—The total number of deaths registered as
having taken place in this district during the year was
908—455 being males and 453 females, the former exceeding
the latter by 2, exactly the reverse of the previous
year, when the females were 2 in excess. It is surprising
how near the numbers are in reference to sex. In 1877
820 deaths were returned, therefore there is an increase
on that year of 88. Of the total number 908, 190 took
place in the Infirmary, 84 of which belonged to the parish
of Battersea, leaving 106 to be divided amongst the other
parishes forming the Union. These 190 deaths are 4 in
excess of the previous year, when 186 were returned.
Deducting, then, the 190 Infirmary deaths which, as
the inmates are derived from the whole Union, it is but
fair to do, it will leave 718 as the correct number