View report page

60
now extending for a period of nearly twenty years in
carrying out my duties and though separated as a district,
shall always be pleased to render any assistance should
such be required. In taking a retrospect of the past 20
years, the board and its officers may congratulate themselves
on the excellent sanitary state the parish now enjoys,
time was when, except the main thoroughfares, the
bye ones were but a series of dirty lanes, with vehicles,
scarcely passable. Now we have fine open streets well
made up, paved, drained and lighted. Of course we
have a much larger population, and mostly of the labouring
class, whose occupations render them perhaps susceptible
to illness, yet notwithstanding this, and the
crowded state in which we live, the Board may congratulate
themselves on the beneficial effects of their
labours, and fairly lay claim to a substantial reduction
of the death rate, and to have given each person a
prospect of five years extra longevity of life as compared
with 20 years ago. I trust we may continue to improve,
and I feel sure that all officers will continue to put forth
their efforts to that end.
I have to express my satisfaction at the way in which
the Assistant Inspectors do their work, and also to Mr.
Richards, whose knowledge of most intricate sanitary
matters, and the tact he displays in carrying them out
is invaluable.
J. OAKMAN
Medical Officer of Health for West Battersea.