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Of Typhus, Enteric (typhoid) Fevers, Scarlatina, and Small Pox alone,
371 persons died in St. Pancras in 1866. I have no hesitation in saying
that the mortality from these diseases might have been very largely diminished
had there been proper provision, such as the Vestry is empowered to
provide, by "The Sanitary Act, 1866," for the disinfection of clothing, &c.
The cost of such an establishment, as one of those erected in Liverpool,
would, I doubt not, be soon saved to the parish, by the saving of life that
would be effected. It must be remembered that fevers (especially Typhus)
attack more especially our adult population; and of the 122 persons who
died from fever in St. Pancras last year, a large proportion were adult
males, who had probably families dependent upon them. If we could add
to these deaths, the number of those persons who were disabled and unable
to work during the attacks of fever, it would be seen what distress and
misery must be caused,—resulting of necessity in a largely increased poorrate.
I cannot too earnestly recommend to the authorities the consideration
of this question in its economic aspect.
SMALL POX AND VACCINATION.
The mortality from Small Pox was lower in 1868 than it has been in any
year since 1861, twenty-three deaths only having occurred from this disease.
I append a return kindly furnished by Mr. Moore, Clerk to the Guardians,
of the number of Vaccinations performed by the public Vaccinators in the
year ending Michaelmas, 1868. Of children under one year of age, 2871
were successfully vaccinated, being an increase of 820 over the preceding
year. The number of registered Births in the parish during the same
period was 7706. Though the number of children actually vaccinated is
not at all represented in this return, it is satisfactory to find that the New
Vaccination Act causes each year more children to be vaccinated.
SANITARY WORKS.
In the Appendix is given a Table, kindly supplied by Mr. Worrell,
Chief Clerk in the Department of Works, of the principal works of Sewerage
executed in the Parish during the year 1868. From this it appears that
1468 feet of large brick sewers; 1500 feet of pipe drainage; and 1594 feet
of brick barrel drains have been made. Many sewers were repaired during
the course of the year.
Annexed is a return of the chief Sanitary improvements carried out,
under the inspection of the Sanitary Officers:—