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4
This disease frequently co-exists -with erysipelas, and it will be remembered
that, in my last Report, I stated that this disease was prevalent in the
House, as it is also at the present time. One young woman died in the casual
ward unexpectedly, after a short illness, on the 26th December; the cause of
her death is the subject of a coroner's inquest.
The place at present used for the nightly lodging of the female casual
applicants for relief is very much too small for the purpose. The very
commodious wards, which have been recently erected for them, are not yet
quite fit for use, in consequence of the dampness of the walls, which are,
however, being dried as rapidly as possible by means of charcoal braziers. The
numbers of casuals have varied during the month from about 40 to 80; on one
occasion there were 104. About half of them are usually females. For the
short time that the rooms at present in use are obliged to be employed by the
casuals, I should recommend that they be on no account occupied during the
day, but thoroughly cleaned out, and the windows thrown wide open at 8 o'clock
in the morning; and if any of these persons require medical attendance so as to
be unfit for work, that they be at onoe admitted to other parts of the House.
The average number of inmates (exclusive of casuals) during the month
has been 1432. If the number of children removed to Forest Gate be included,
namely, 214, the number is still rather less than during last December; so that
the House is very much less full than it was last year. The mortality during
the past quarter has amounted to 85; in 1855, in the corresponding quarter, it
was 109. During the last few days measles of a malignant type has made its
appearance amongst the infants; and since last Saturday several children have
died of this disease.
THOMAS HILLIEE.