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8
Table IV. shows the number of deaths from six epidemic diseases during
the years 1855, 1856, and 1857. It will be seen that deaths from Measles have
been more numerous, from Scarlet Fever, from Hooping Cough, and from
Diarrhoea slightly more, from Typhus much less, and from Small Pox rather
less, numerous than in 1856.
Although Small Pox prevailed very much in some of the most crowded parts
of Somers Town and the Gray's Inn Districts, yet there were only 11 deaths
during the year, and these were all unvaccinated. I believe the small mortality
may without presumption be in great measure ascribed to house to house Visitations
in the localities where it prevailed, and the distribution of circulars issued
by the sanitary committee at my suggestion, urging on the inhabitants to have
their children vaccinated and use other precautions. The mortality might be
much more diminished were the Vaccination Act compulsory, as it was intended
to be. There are several very serious defects in that Act; amongst others, there
is no one whose prescribed duty it is to warn, and subsequently to enforce, the
penalty against those who neglect vaccination; and there is little or no provision
made for the good quality of the vaccination performed.
SANITARY IMPROVEMENTS EFFECTED OR REQUIRED.
The scavengering work throughout the parish has been done with very
much greater efficiency than formerly, so that decaying vegetable and animal
refuse is not allowed to lie about to pollute the atmosphere. This is a point of
much importance to health especially in narrow and crowded streets.
The sanitary state of parts of the parish has been much amended by the
improvement of the roads, especially in the northern part, and in Agar Town,
where many new ones have been constructed. On this subject, however, your
surveyor will report in more detail.
During the year I have reported at some length on the "Water Supply of the
parish. I pointed out the advantages that would result from a constant supply
instead of the present intermittent method, and drew attention to the very defective
provision often made for the reception and storage of water, especially in
the houses of the poor. I also mentioned the provisions of the Metropolis Water
Act, which contemplate the attainment of a constant supply, and pointed out
the method by which it may be secured. The subject is of very great importance,
and will, I trust, not be overlooked by the owners and occupiers of
houses.
I have also reported on the Imperial Gas "Works, near King's Cross, so that
I need not refer to these at present.
The cow-houses throughout the parish have been fully reported on. Since
the time when that report was made a very large number of these establishments
have been much improved in reference to drainage, paving, ventilation, and
general management. They are, however, still very far from what could be
wished. Neither the Vestry, the Sanitary Committee, nor myself, have been
disposed to put individuals to any great expense in improving old premises
which have been long devoted to this business. Nor have they, had they felt
disposed, any power to exact many improvements which would be of very great
service to, and some of which arc urgently required by, the health of the public.
SLAUGHTER HOUSES.
These are in a much more satisfactory state than they were before the
licensing system was introduced. They are now under constant supervision,
and the fear of losing the license operates in a very wholesome manner to check