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but the total number shows a decided increase upon the
number of deaths from this disease in the previous year, and
the average of the previous three years.
DIARRIHŒA.
Diarrhoea caused directly only 118 deaths in St. Pancras
in 1879. The cold weather and the heavy rainfall are responsible
for this small mortality, which is about half the
average number of deaths from this disease during the past
ten years.
HOSPITAL PROVISION for INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Unfortunately the hospital provision for infectious diseases
still remains in a most unsatisfactory condition. The great
provision made by the Metropolitan Asylums Board is still
practically reserved only for those who are willing to become
paupers, in order that they may be admitted into the hospitals
of this Board.
The Poor Law Act of 1879 gives power to the Vestries, as
the Sanitary Authorities of the Metropolis, to contract with
the Metropolitan Asylums Board for the admission into
the hospitals of the latter of persons who are not paupers, but
the arrangement with a Poor Law Authority for this purpose
has not appeared to the Metropolitan Sanitary Authorities
to be desirable.
The arrangement existing with the London Fever Hospital
is still in force, and in 1879,35 persons were sent to that
institution on the order of your medical officer.
LABOURERS' AND ARTIZANS DWELLING ACT
(1878) AMENDMENT ACT, 1879.
This Act was passed at the end of last session, and had in
view the better compensation of persons whose houses were
condemned by the Sanitary Authority.
By the fifth section the owner of houses thus condemned
is empowered to compel the Vestry to purchase such houses
within three months after an order has been made, and in
the event of the Vestry not putting the Act in force, the Metropolitan
Board of Works is empowered to carry out the
work, and charge the Vestry with the expenses. It is
obvious that an Act which would compel the Vestry to