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2
The rooms occupied by the children, previously to the outbreak of the
disease, were by no means crowded or badly ventilated; nor was there
anything at all objectionable in the diet allowed to the children. The building
occupied by them is not so healthy as could be wished, in consequence of
washing which is conducted in the basement floor, and the fumes from which
traverse that part of the house. This evil will, I presume, be remedied ere long,
by the use of the new Laundry.
The epidemic commenced in the middle of December. The first case
progressed favorably; the second attacked died on 22nd December; another
child died on 3lst December; another on the 1st January; another on the 3rd;
another on the 4th; another on the 5th; three more on the 7th; one on the
9th; another on the 11th; another on the 12th; then one on the 19th; since
which day till the 31st no death occurred. Of those who died, three were
under a year old, five between 1 and 2 years, four between 2 and 3, and one in
its fourth year.
Ten of the children who died were, prior to their having measles, very
delicate unhealthy children, none of whom would probably have lived many
years under any circumstances.
The children who have recovered are for the most part those who have
been in the house for the longest period. Of those who died none had been
inmates for more than seven months ; in 3 instances their stay in the house was
only three weeks; in 2 instances two months ; and in 3 three months.
The ages of the children attacked have varied from 3 months to 9 years.
Two women have taken the disease, one of whom has died of Pneumonia,
secondary to the Measles*
The former Boys' School is now in use as an Infirmary, and is found to
bo very commodious and well adapted for the purpose. The Building
generally is well provided with the means of ventilation; some of the small
wards, however, require alteration in this respect. There is one especially to
be noted, occupied by old men with bronchial complaints; this room is heated
by a gas stove, and has no opsn flue; it would be well that an open fire-place
and a ventilator into the chimney should be placed in this room.
It is veiy important that some responsible person should be entrusted
with the ventilation over the whole house ; and it should be his business to go
into every room once, or, in some cases, twice daily, to regulate it according
to the weather. The ventilation must be in every case made independently
of the inmates, as they will prevent the entry of air in every possible way.
In the immediate vicinity of this Infirmary are two wharves, used for thy
deposit of refuse from dust-bins and from the roads. The sorting and mixing
of this refuse are attended with very offensive and noxious effluvia. In
accordance with your instructions these places are indicted as nuisances, and
will, it is honed, ere long be cleared out.

In January, 1856, the average total number was 1642.
THOMAS HILLIER.
* For these facts I am indebted to Mr, Andrew, Assistant Surgeon to the Workhouse.